Phone Number Leads to Bust of Man who Molested Student: Cops

Update/posted at 11:40 a.m. Thursday:

A Joliet man who allegedly hugged, sexually touched and tried to kiss a Joliet Central High School student was arrested Wednesday when Joliet police tracked him down through his phone number, Capt. Tab Jensen said.

Ervin A. Evans, 24, of 405 Wilcox, approached the 14-year-old female student as she was walking to school on Washington Street at about 9 a.m., Jensen said.

He started walking with her, and when they went beneath the train viaduct near the school, he grabbed her buttocks twice, hugged her and attempted to kiss her, the student told police, Jensen said. He gave her his cell phone number and told her to meet him after school, he said.

"(Evans) told her he liked smart girls and that she was pretty," Jensen said.

The student reported the incident when she arrived at school, and a female police officer used the phone number to arrange a meeting with Evans near the train viaduct, he said.

Police officers took him into custody when he arrived to meet the girl, and the victim was able to identify him as the man who assaulted her, Jensen said.

Evans was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim between the ages of 13 and 18 and criminal sexual abuse/force. He is being held in the Will County jail pending a bond hearing.

Original story/posted at 10 p.m. Wednesday:

A suspect who approached a Joliet Central High School student Wednesday morning was arrested by Joliet police, according to a news release issued by Joliet Township High School District 204.

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No specifics were released about the incident other than it involved a "suspicious male," police were notified and a man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon. The school is located at 201 E. Jefferson St.

"Joliet Central High School wants to take the opportunity to stress the importance of safety while traveling to and from school," the release said.

"Regardless of your environment, whether it be in the parking lot of a grocery store, at home, or in any situation, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to practice safety precautions.  Students are also encouraged to travel in groups."
 
Joliet Patch will update this story when additional information becomes available Thursday.