Girl Approached in Apparent Luring Attempt on Black Horse Pike

Clarification: When initially published at 6:55 p.m. Aug. 9, this article indicated the apparent luring attempt occurred around 9:20 p.m. Monday. The incident occurred around noon. Police were summoned to take a report of the incident at 9:26 p.m. The information contained below has been adjusted for accuracy.

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Police are asking the public to remind children to stay away from strangers in the wake of an apparent luring attempt in Blackwood Monday night.

The incident occurred at Davistown Road and the Black Horse Pike, near the Heritage's convenience store, at around noon Monday.

Police received a call at 9:26 p.m. reporting that a man driving a maroon pickup truck had pulled up to a 13-year-old girl to ask her if she wanted a ride.

When the girl told the man that she did not, he reportedly responded, "What? You don't want to hang out with me?" He drove away after the girl again responded, "No."

The suspect is described as a black male who was clean-shaven and is heavyset and in his late 20s or early 30s. The man's hair was cut short and he was wearing a loose, short-sleeve shirt, according to police.

Police ask that anyone with information about this or a similar incident call police dispatch at 856-228-4500 or the township's anonymous crime tip line at 856-842-5560.

The investigation into Monday's incident is ongoing.

In the meantime, police suggest that parents talk to their children about how to deal with strangers who may approach them. For guidance, police recommend visiting the National Crime Prevention Council's website.