Parents Warned After Strangers Try to Lure Children in New York, New Jersey

Authorities in New York and New Jersey are cautioning parents after strangers tried to lure children in both states -- a girl on her way to school in one case, three young boys in another -- earlier this week.

Both attempted lurings happened within a 24-hour period; there's no indication they're connected.

In the New York case, a stranger pulled up to a girl walking to her Westchester County high school Monday and asked her repeatedly if she wanted a ride, police said.

Police said the strange man, described as being in his mid 40s with short hair and dark eyes, drove up to the Mamaroneck High School student as she was walking on Palmer Avenue between Maple Avenue and Fenimore Road shortly before 9 a.m.

The man, who was behind the wheel of a dark green station wagon, asked the girl, "Where are you going?", according to police. The girl pointed straight ahead and kept on walking, authorities said.

The stranger then asked the girl several times to get into his car and said he would drive her. The girl said no each time the man offered and walked to a bus stop, where the man asked one more time if she wanted a ride.

He drove off after the student once again said no.

In the New Jersey case, police say a man walked up to three young boys in Manalapan Township around 11:30 a.m. Sunday and tried to lure them into his car, telling them they could help him search for a missing cat.

The boys, ages 10 to 13, ran off right after the man approached them near Lambs Lane and did not see the man again, police said. The man is described as being in his late 50s with brown, shoulder-length hair and some graying. He was driving a four-door silver sedan with New Jersey license plates.

Police in both New York and New Jersey are urging parents to have "stranger-danger" conversations with their children. Anyone who sees any potentially suspicious people or vehicles is asked to call police. 

Contact Us