New Jersey Police Set Up Checkpoints After Multiple Luring Reports

No children have been reported abducted and police are unsure if the incidents are related

Police in northern New Jersey have set up checkpoints and stepped up patrols after a number of reported child luring attempts.

Attempts have been reported in New Milford, Hawthorne, Maywood, Fair Lawn, Oradell, Ridgewood, Washington Township, Morristown and Hackensack.

No children have been reported abducted and police are unsure if the incidents are related. They released a sketch of a man in the Westwood incident who resembles a man in the Washington Township case.

The Morristown and Morris Township police, who are conducting a joint investigation, say a 15-year-old girl was approached outside Morristown High School by a man driving a dark blue or black pickup truck parked on Early Street Thursday afternoon.

The victim said the suspect whistled at her from the car and followed her as she walked home, yelling comments to her as she walked by, according to police. The suspect continued to follow her, and later parked his car and walked towards her as she was near her home.

The victim ran, and the suspect fled. Police released video of the truck the suspect drove while attempting to lure the teen.

Westwood Police Chief Frank Regino tells The Record that his department has set up a checkpoint to distribute fliers to drivers and pedestrians.

In the latest incident in New Milford Thursday, police say the suspect approached a 10-year-old girl and attempted to make conversation. She ran away from the suspect's car.

Later that afternoon, a suspect who matched the description approached a 17-year-old girl and tried to make conversation. The girl told police she ran away from the suspect.

 
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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