A Chicago man identified as James Saye was charged with attempted kidnapping, aggravated fleeing and eluding after a woman flagged down Evanston police stating the man attempted to kidnap her Saturday. 

The woman, an Evanston resident, alerted an Evanston Police Department officer on duty in the area at about 9:45 a.m. on Saturday. She stated that a man had attempted to push her into his vehicle on the 600 block of University Place, according to a Sunday EPD news release. 

The release stated the woman said she was walking in the area when she was approached by the man. She was able to escape, and the offender fled. 

At about 10:24 a.m., University Police alerted the Northwestern community about the incident with an email and text, stating police were investigating an attempted abduction that occurred at about 10 a.m. near Scott Hall on University Place. The alert said a suspect was in custody.

After obtaining a description of the suspect and the car from the woman and sending out a radio flash to all officers, two officers spotted a car matching the description, according to the release. The car was southbound on Chicago Avenue at Clark Street. 

The car led police on a low-speed chase on Chicago Avenue before stopping. According to EPD, Saye went into custody without incident. 

EPD then conducted an investigation, reviewing surveillance footage of the incident. Saye did not make a statement to the police. Detectives then reviewed the investigation with the Cook County’s State Attorney’s Office, and the office approved the felony charges against Saye. 

Saye is scheduled to appear in bond court May 22 at the Skokie Courthouse. 

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