Man Accused of Using Alcohol to Try and Lure Kids Back to His Apartment: Authorities

WHEATON, IL - A 47-year-old Wheaton man faces charges for allegedly approaching children on numerous occasions and offering them alcohol if they would return to his apartment with him, authorities said.

Javier Lopez, of 2084 W. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton, is charged with two counts of luring and one count of child abduction, all class 4 felonies, following his arrest this past week, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office press release. His bond has been set at $15,000.

Lopez is accused of approaching several minor children playing basketball in the apartment complex where he lived during the evening hours of March 10 and trying to get them to go back to his place, authorities said.

The minors refused Lopez’s alleged advances and alerted an adult. Lopez allegedly remained near the minors. A short time later, officers with the Wheaton Police Department arrived at the scene and after speaking with the minors, took Lopez into custody, according to the news release. The minors ranged in age from seven to fifteen years old.

“As parents, it is our job to teach our children how to be safe when they are unsupervised,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. “I would like to commend every one of the children on the basketball court that evening as well as their parents, for their response to Mr. Lopez’s alleged advances. They did exactly what they should have and for that they should be very proud."

Lopez’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 22, 2016 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin for bond review. He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 1.