57-year-old monk charged with attempted child abduction

WISCONSIN
CBS 58

by Chris Patterson

Story Created: Apr 29, 2013

BENET LAKE — 57-year-old Thomas Chmura, a monk at St. Benedicts Abbey, is charged with attempted child abduction and disorderly conduct after allegedly trying to pick up teenage girls in his van. Reports from some of Chmura’s potential victims eventually led police to spotting his van and arresting him.

A 14-year-old girl told police an elderly man offered to give her a ride home, and told her to get in the car when she declined his offer. Chmura sped away from the girl after she continued to refuse his offer for a ride. The girl reported the incident to a staff member at her high school.

The next day Chmura was spotted by an Antioch police officer and pulled over. Chmura admitted to police he attempted to give rides to 5-10 teenage girls using the same van registered to St. Benedicts Abbey located in Benet Lake, WI.

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