13-Year-Old Girl Stopped by 'Suspicious' Van in East Brunswick

East Brunswick, NJ - A 13-year-old East Brunswick girl walking to school Tuesday morning said she was stopped by a man driving a work van who opened the passenger door and tried to coax her closer.

The incident happened on Arthur Street at about 8:53 a.m. Tuesday, East Brunswick police said. The girl said she was walking in the roadway on her way to the school bus stop when a man in a burgundy work style van pulled alongside of her. He opened the passenger door and tried to talk to her.

She declined to speak with him and ran home to her mother.

The van driver was described as a white or Hispanic male in his 40’s with a short stubble beard, police said.

His description and that of the van were broadcast to surrounding towns Tuesday. A vehicle matching the description was stopped by South River PD but it turned out not to be the suspect vehicle. Further search for the vehicle was negative.

Parents are asked to remind their children to use caution when approached by any stranger, no matter how innocent it appears.

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