YEAR: 2010

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Cook County

LOCATION DETAILS: Just north of Vollmer Road on Central Avenue in South Green Belt Forest Preserve.

NEAREST TOWN: Matteson

NEAREST ROAD: Vollmer and I-57

OBSERVED: It was just my wife and I and we were driving through the forest preserve we saw something standing by a tree. I had my high beams on because there are usually deer in there and other animals. As we got close to the tree we could see a well defined shape of a big person or whatever you want to call it. As we were going by its head and shoulders was turning with us as we were going by. We went straight to the police station, because the police station is not too far from there. We got up there, but I decided not to say anything because I didn't want anyone to think I was losing it. We went back during the daytime, this thing was standing in this ditch which is about three feet deep. The thing was looking at us eye to eye. Now I know its just not me. I got a map one day and looked and I thought "Ok, maybe these things are using the forest preserves because most of them are interlinked". This thing is huge.

OTHER WITNESSES: My wife and I

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 10 p.m.

warm and clear

ENVIRONMENT: Woods and grassy areas

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with both witnesses by phone.

In summary:

• The animal was between 8 and 9 feet tall.
• The animal was huge, it weighed over 600 lbs.
• The hair was brown.
• The witness had his car headlights on high beam.
• Distance the animal was from the car was 20 feet.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net