MARSEILLES, Ill. — A Marseilles man was arrested Tuesday evening on a charge of attempted aggravated kidnapping following the report of a 5-year-old girl being grabbed on her way to school that morning.
Bradley D. Boaz, 53, was charged with the offense and taken to the La Salle County Jail, where his bond was set at $500,000 Wednesday morning. According to jail officials, Boaz was still in custody late Wednesday morning.
Marseilles Police Chief James Hovious said the young girl's mother reported her daughter was walking to her bus stop just before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning when she was grabbed by a man who attempted to drag her away. The girl was able to pull away from him and escape unharmed.
The girl was not alone when the incident occurred, Hovious said, although he would not say who was with her or if there were any adult witnesses present. There were no other people who were in danger at the scene, though, he did say.
After an investigation headed by Detective Todd Gordon and assisted by the LaSalle County State's Attorney's office, Boaz was arrested late Tuesday night and was taken to the county jail.
Hovious declined to comment on whether or not Boaz had a criminal record but did say they had a suspect in mind during the investigation. The department worked "extra hard" and used all the resources available to track down the suspect, he added. He said residents should know their town is a safe one.
"This is an isolated incident," Hovious said. "I believe Marseilles is a safe community to live and work in.
Hovious said officers routinely patrol school zones before and after school and are trying to be more visible now after the alleged kidnapping attempt to reassure the community.
Hovious added this is a good time for parents to sit down with their children and talk to them about safety.
Boaz's next court date is Nov. 10.
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