ALTON, Ill. – Police credit a child’s quick-thinking actions for preventing an attempted abduction earlier this week in Alton.
The Alton Police Department accuses Michael J. Roberts, 44, of attempting to lure the child into his vehicle on Tuesday. As of Thursday, he remains at large.
Investigators say, according to a phone call from a parent, a man approached his child at a bus stop Thursday morning and attempted to get the child in the vehicle. The child refused and pulled out a cell phone, threatening to call police.
The suspect, later identified as Roberts, took off from the scene, initially north on Fosterburg Road from Moonlight Way.
“We are relieved and thankful that this case played out the way it did, and that the juvenile’s wise and quick actions resulted in the suspect fleeing,” said Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford. “I’m also thankful for the hard work and dedication that our officers and detectives display on a daily basis when it comes to protecting our area youth in cases such as this. At this time, we believe this to be an isolated incident, and have no information that any similar incidents have occurred.”
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Roberts with one felony count of child abduction while he remains wanted.
Police say Roberts was last seen driving a black Dodge Charger with Illinois license plate number EU74699. If you have any relevant information on his whereabouts, contact the Alton Police Department at 618-462-3797 or your nearest law enforcement agency.
