Young Male Locks Girl, 6, In Car, Rides Away: Lakewood Police

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Lakewood police are searching for a young man who allegedly locked a 6-year-old girl in a car and then rode away on a bicycle.

The incident happened Monday afternoon, Lakewood Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

Lakewood police were called to a Stirling Avenue home about 3:45 p.m., where Officer Eric Micallef was told the girl had been playing outside the family's home unattended when she was approached by a young black male who picked the girl up, put her in the back seat of a nearby unlocked parked car, Staffordsmith said.

The girl told adults the young man then locked her in the car and left the area in what was described as "casually riding away," Staffordsmith said.

The child told adults she remained in the vehicle until a friend of hers rode by and noticed her inside the car and let her out. The friend was not on scene when Micallef arrived, Staffordsmith said.

The girl's father initially reported the incident to the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch group, who then called police, Staffordsmith said. Micallef was told the incident had happened about 30 minutes before police were called, he said.

The suspect was described as a young black male, average build, long curly hair and wearing black pants. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Michael Mooney Jr. at 732-363-0200, ext. 5341.

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