Man Tried To Lure Children Near South Jersey School: Police

VINELAND, NJ — A South Jersey man was arrested after authorities say he tried to lure several children into his vehicle as they walked to school earlier this week.

Vineland police received multiple reports of the suspect trying to lure children into his vehicle while engaging in lewd behavior.

All of the reported incidents occurred Monday morning, within a few blocks of each other, and near Veterans Memorial Middle School, police said.

After further investigation, police identified the suspect as Rogelio Vega, 33, of Vineland. He was charged Tuesday with a litany of offenses related to the incidents, along with several weapons counts.

Vega remained in custody as of Thursday.

The preliminary investigation revealed three initial incidents involving four victims, including two children, police said. Further investigation uncovered additional incidents and possible victims, according to law enforcement.

Vega was charged with the following:

• luring and enticing a juvenile (two counts)
• endangering the welfare of a child (three counts)
• lewdness (four counts)
• criminal sexual contact (five counts)
• luring an enticing an adult (two counts)
• unlawful possession of a weapon (two counts)
• certain persons not to have any firearms (two counts)
• manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of weapons
• three counts of prohibited weapons and devices (one each for a defaced firearm, hollow points, and a weapon with no serial number)

Vega is detained at the Cumberland County Jail. A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Vega didn't have an attorney listed in online court records on Thursday.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information can contact Vineland Police Det. Stephen Milosh at 856-691-4111, Ext. 4322 or submit an anonymous tip at vpd.tips.