Police in Chatham NJ are looking for a suspect who allegedly tried to lure a minor while she walked home from school.
According to law enforcement, the suspect drove past the 11-year-old female victim as she walked along Meadowbrook Road in Chatham Borough, New Jersey. The suspect reportedly slowed down his motor vehicle, a tan-colored sedan, and tried to convince the victim to get into the car.
The suspect allegedly kept mentioning a teddy bear as he attempted to lure the young girl into the car.
Thankfully, the girl did not enter the suspect’s vehicle. Instead, she backed away from the car, prompting the suspect to drive away in a hurry. He was last seen heading north on Somerset Avenue and driving toward Essex Road in Chatham, NJ.
An adult witnessed the alleged luring incident and dialed 911 to alert authorities. The adult witness later spoke with Chatham police officers and said that he could not hear what the suspect said to the child.
Chatham NJ police are actively investigating the luring incident and trying to identify the suspect.
Law enforcement has released a description of the suspect, who is described as a white male who is in his 40s and has dark curly hair.
If police can eventually determine the identity of the suspect, he would probably be charged with luring. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6, an adult who attempts to lure or entice a child into a motor vehicle can be charged with a second degree felony. A conviction on second degree luring charges could lead to a sentence of 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The Chatham Borough Police Department has asked for the public’s help with the investigation. Anyone who has information about the suspect or the alleged luring incident should contact investigators at 973-635-8000.
To learn more about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Cops Investigating Attempted Luring of 11-Year-Old Girl.”