Crime & Safety
Teen Girl Breaks Away From Kidnapping Attempt In Lakewood: Police
Authorities are searching for a man in a white SUV who attempted the kidnapping, police said.

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Authorities are searching for a man in a white SUV following an attempted kidnapping in Lakewood on Thursday evening, police said.
A 911 caller reported the attempt about 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Forest Park Circle, Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.
Officers learned the man — described only as Black or Hispanic — tried to force a teenage girl into a white SUV, but she was able to break free, Staffordsmith said.
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The man took off in the SUV, he said.
While searching the area authorities learned there had been an attempted kidnapping in a neighboring town, but Staffordsmith said it was not known if the two incidents were related.
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"At this time the investigation is active and we are following up on several leads with the assistance of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Ocean County Sheriff's Department," Staffordsmith said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lakewood Detective Sgt. Tyler DiStefano at 732-363-0200.
Lakewood Shomrim assisted in the search, Staffordsmith said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.