Bail Set for Monk Accused of Attempted Abduction

By Rosemary Sobol
Chicago Tribune
April 28, 2013

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-monk-attempted-child-abduction-20130428,0,4118448.story





Wisconsin man tried to lure 14-year-old girl into station wagon, Antioch police say

A judge set bail Saturday at $50,000 for a longtime Benedictine monk accused of trying to abduct a 14-year-old girl in far north suburban Antioch, authorities said.

Thomas M. Chmura, 57, of the 12600 block of 224th Avenue in Benet Lake, Wis., allegedly tried to lure the girl into his station wagon last week — first by asking her if she needed a ride, then demanding that she get in, according to a statement from Antioch police.

The girl ran and later gave authorities a description of Chmura, who was stopped in his vehicle and arrested Friday.

Chmura told police he is a monk and has been living at St. Benedict's Abbey in Benet Lake for the past 32 years, the statement said.



Contact: rsobol@tribune.com