Joliet Township, IL – A Joliet Township man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly attempting to kidnap a 12-year-old girl waiting at her bus stop.
According to Sheriff Mike Kelley, deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 7:55 a.m. near Luana Road and Dallas Place. The girl was waiting for her school bus when a man, later identified as Eric A. Fleming Jr., 20, allegedly approached her, grabbed her, and tried to abduct her. She managed to escape by slipping out of her hoodie and ran home to inform her parents, who then contacted 911.
The girl’s vivid description of the suspect allowed deputies to quickly locate Fleming nearby. He was taken into custody without incident and later made incriminating statements to detectives. Fleming is now at the Will County Adult Detention Facility, awaiting his initial court appearance.
The girl was unharmed and received support from the sheriff’s office social service division, including comfort from a therapy dog. Sheriff Kelley praised the girl’s bravery and the swift actions of the deputies, stating, “This brave twelve-year-old girl went through something very traumatic and was able to provide an accurate description of the offender to deputies. Because of her, deputies were able to quickly locate the suspect without incident.”
Fleming faces charges of attempted kidnapping, attempted child abduction, and battery.
