Attempted Child Luring on Summit Avenue in Manalapan

An attempted child luring occurred on Summit Avenue in Manalapan Township on Friday, Jan. 11, according to the Manalapan Police Department.

An 11-year-old girl was waiting for the bus when a white man in a bright red SUV tried to persuade her to come over to his vehicle. According to police, the man rolled down his window and called, "Hey, come over here to my car," to the girl.

The girl was frightened and ran home to tell her father, but when the resident looked out of his front door he saw that the vehicle had left the area.

The incident was reported to the police on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 12 and the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District was notified of the occurrence on Sunday, Jan. 13, according to Police Chief Chris Marsala. 

Police told the school district to inform the Board of Transportation so that the bus drivers were made aware of the alleged attempted luring, Marsala said.

The victim described the suspect as a white man with short, reddish hair and a pale complexion. He was reportedly wearing a dark blue shirt or sweater at the time of the incident. The suspect's vehicle was described as a red "boxy" SUV resembling a Chevy Tahoe with tinted windows and black rim.

Patrol cars were dispatched to the area where the incident took place in the days following the reported occurrence. Police also spoke with other residents who saw the vehicle in the area, according to Marsala.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Manalapan Police Department at 732-446-4300.