Monk Charged with Trying to Lure Girls Released on Bond

By Ruth Fuller
Chicago Tribune
May 23, 2013

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-benedictine-monk-bond-20130523,0,5431539.story

Thomas M. Chmura photo provided by the Antioch Police Department. (Antioch Police Department / April 26, 2013)

A Benedictine monk charged with trying to lure several far north suburban girls into his car has been released on bond -- for a second time – and is now living with his father, authorities in Lake County said today.

Judge Christopher Stride agreed on May 17 to lower bond for Thomas Chmura, 57, from $150,000 to the original amount of $50,000 after Chmura found a new place to live, said defense attorney Robert Hauser.

Chmura’s original bond was revoked on May 2 when court officials checked the Wisconsin abbey where he had lived for more than 30 years and found children present, which violated conditions of the bond. Chmura is now living with his father in Lansing, Ill., Hauser said.

Chmura was arrested after investigators said he drove up to a 14-year-old girl in Antioch on April 25 and repeatedly asked her to get in his car before she ran off.

Authorities allege that he had also offered rides to three other girls under the age of 17 in Antioch on April 25. Antioch police said the three were walking along North Avenue at about 6:30 p.m. when Chumura pulled up and offered a ride. They refused and went to the nearby home where one of them lived. An off duty police officer witnessed the exchange and the girls were later interviewed by investigators, according to Antioch Police Chief Craig Somerville.

Chmura is due back in court on June 14.

Contact: chicagobreaking@tribune.com