10/15/2026
Public Information Release:
Man Charged in Two Attempted Kidnappings
A Willow Springs man has been arrested and charged following two separate attempted kidnappings of juvenile females in Hickory Hills.
On October 13, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Hickory Hills Police responded to the shopping center near 95th Street and Roberts Road after receiving reports that a male subject had attempted to abduct a juvenile female. Officers subsequently learned that two juvenile females had been approached separately by the same offender within a short period of time.
During one incident, a 14-year-old girl was walking through the shopping center when a male driving a silver SUV approached her, repeatedly ordered her to get into his vehicle, and continued following her as she attempted to walk away. The offender ultimately fled after the girl sought help and members of the community intervened.
During a separate incident moments earlier, another juvenile female was approached by the same vehicle. The offender repeatedly demanded that she get into his car. After she told him she was a minor and attempted to get away, the offender exited his vehicle and chased her on foot. A nearby adult witnessed the encounter, confronted the offender, and brought the juvenile to safety.
Officers and detectives quickly obtained surveillance footage and identified the suspect vehicle as a silver Hyundai SUV. Information about the vehicle was distributed to surrounding law enforcement agencies and through regional law enforcement information-sharing systems. The vehicle was subsequently detected by a Flock ALPR camera, and officers from the Willow Springs Police Department located it near 87th Street and Oak Grove Avenue. The driver, Nicholas P. Hayes, 28, of Willow Springs, was taken into custody.
There is no known ongoing threat to the community related to these incidents. The suspect was identified and taken into custody shortly after the reports were received as Hickory Hills officers and detectives coordinated with neighboring law enforcement agencies to locate the vehicle.
At the time of his arrest, Hayes was also wanted on two unrelated warrants: a Naperville Police Department warrant for Public Indecency – Sexual Act or Conduct, and a Waukegan Police Department warrant also for Public Indecency – Sexual Act or Conduct.
Hickory Hills Detectives continued the investigation, which included witness interviews, surveillance video, forensic interviews conducted through the All Our Children’s Advocacy Center, photo lineups, and interviews with Hayes. Victims and witnesses identified Hayes as the offender.
After review by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Hayes was charged with two counts of Attempted Kidnapping, one relating to each juvenile victim. He was processed and held pending a detention hearing.
The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort involving Hickory Hills patrol officers and detectives, the Willow Springs Police Department, neighboring law enforcement agencies, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the All Our Children’s Advocacy Center.
The Hickory Hills Police Department would especially like to recognize the members of our community who became involved when they realized the juveniles were in danger. Witnesses confronted the offender, provided the victims with a safe place to go, immediately contacted police, and provided officers with critical information about the offender and his vehicle. Their willingness to become involved played an important role in protecting these juveniles and assisting officers in quickly identifying and locating the suspect.
The Hickory Hills Police Department encourages anyone who observes suspicious or threatening behavior to immediately contact police. Parents are also encouraged to remind children that if they believe they are being followed or approached by someone suspicious, they should move toward other people or an open business, call 911, and seek help from a trusted adult.
The issuance of criminal charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
