GLENDALE HEIGHTSMAN SENTENCED FOR KIDNAPPING OF EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Nam H. “Andy” Ly, 26 (d.o.b. 11/12/79) of 216 Shorewood Drive in Glendale Heights was sentenced to thirteen years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the kidnapping of an 8-year-old Wheaton girl.  In addition to the sentence, Ly will also have to register as a convicted sex offender and will submit a DNA sample for submission to the statewide DNA database.

On August 25 2002, Ly was seen at Northside Park, located at the far north end of West Street in Wheaton.  Sometime between 8 and 8:30 p.m. that evening, Ly invited the victim into his car and then drove away with her.  At approximately 1 a.m. August 26, the girl was reported missing when she failed to return home from the playground at Northside Park.  A thorough investigation conducted by the Wheaton Police Department with assistance from the Glendale Heights Police Department led officials to Ly’s home in Glendale Heights.  Police arrived at Ly’s home at approximately 3 a.m. looking for the girl but were told that she was not present.  However, the girl was soon discovered behind the defendant’s apartment building wearing only a t-shirt, with the rest of her clothing later being found in Ly’s residence.

  “I am extremely pleased with the sentence handed down by Judge Anderson this afternoon,” commented Birkett.  Mr. Ly is a very dangerous predator who should not be allowed to roam the streets looking for his next victim.  In addition to keeping Mr. Ly out of society for a very long time, Judge Anderson’s sentencing sends a loud and clear message that the actions of predators such as Mr. Ly carry extremely severe consequences and will not be tolerated.”  Birkett went on to praise his office’s prosecutors on this case, “I would like to commend Assistant State’s Attorneys Steven Knight and Jane Radostits for a superb job in an extremely emotional case.”

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