Man Attempted to Lure Woman into Car in Matawan

A 20-year-old woman was walking on Little Street in nearby Matawan this morning when a man pulled up beside her and tried to lure her into his car, according to police.

Matawan Lt. Ben Smith said the victim told police she was walking near the bridge on Little Street at about 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday when an older white Toyota sedan with NJ license plates pulled up beside her. The victim did not know the driver but described him to police as a tall, white male between the ages of 50 and 55, Smith said.

The driver allegedly asked the woman where she was going. She ignored him and continued to walk, but he then allegedly told her to get into his car, Smith said. She told him to go away and to stop following her.

The man then allegedly drove up the street, did a u-turn, and came back to where the victim was walking. He then showed the young woman a red teddy bear and told her to come get it, Smith said. When the woman declined and continued walking, the man allegedly got out of the car, placed the teddy bear on the sidewalk and told her that he knew she would come back for it. Then the man drove off and the woman called police.

Matawan P.O. Paul Ryba responded to the scene and Det. Steve Sakowski is continuing the investigation. The department collected the teddy bear as evidence, Smith said.

Anyone with information regarding the man, who is described as a tall white male between the ages of 50 and 55, the vehicle, which is described as an older white Toyota sedan with New Jersey license plates, or the incident is asked to call the Matawan detective bureau at 732-290-2038.