Wheaton Man Remains in Jail on Child Abduction Charges

WHEATON, IL - A 47-year-old Wheaton man remains in custody on child abduction charges for reports he tried to lure several children into his apartment earlier this month.

Javier F. Lopez, of 2084 W. Roosevelt Road, is being held on a $150,000 bond on three counts of child abduction - luring a child under 17 years of age.

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 offering them alcohol to try 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 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin for bond review. He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 1.

The Wheaton Police Department is requesting anyone with information relevant to this investigation to contact Investigative Division Lieutenant Bob Miller at (630) 260-2073.

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