ANTIOCH, Ill., April 28 (UPI) — A judge set $50,000 bail for a Benedictine monk accused of trying to abduct a 14-year-old girl in Antioch, Ill., officials said.
The judge also ordered Thomas M. Chmura, 57, of Wisconsin, not to have contact with anyone under the age of 17, authorities said Saturday.
Chmura, who has been living at a monastery for 32 years, was charged with felony attempted child abduction and disorderly conduct, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The 14-year-old victim was walking outside at 8 p.m. Thursday when she saw a silver station wagon moving slowly behind her.
Chmura allegedly pulled the car up beside her and rolled down the passenger window to ask if she needed a ride, the Tribune said.
She declined, and after Chmura insisted, the girl ran and the vehicle drove away.
The victim’s description of the man and vehicle led to Chmura’s arrest Saturday.
Police said Chmura told them he wanted to take the victim for the purpose of sexual gratification and that he has offered rides to female teenagers five to 10 times in the past six weeks.
He said he has never touched anyone or given anyone a ride, police said.
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