Morris County Man Jailed for Alleged Child Luring of Girl, 15

A Morris County man was arrested and charged with child luring after police say he attempted to get a teenage girl into his vehicle.

On Wednesday, June 3, Mt. Olive police responded to a call for an attempted luring of a juvenile female, Officer William Gremmo said.

A 15-year-old female told police she was walking on Rt. 46 near Netcong Road when a man in a truck asked if she wanted to get inside, Gremmo said.

The girl told the man she would not, and walked away, but the man allegedly continued to follow her in the vehicle while she walked, Gremmo said. The girl then called her mother to come pick her up, and the man left the scene.

A short time later the girl’s mother called police about the incident, and authorities began to canvass the area, Gremmo said. As a result of the investigation, a vehicle matching the description provided by the victim, Gremmo said.

The vehicle’s owner, Edison Minchala-Criolla, 25, of Budd Lake, was identified and arrested and was subsequently charged with child luring. He was jailed on $100,000 bail with a 10-percent option.

Police say the vehicle was a 2003 Ford F-150 pick-up truck with black signage for an insulation contractor.

Anyone with further information is asked to call 973-691-0900, ext. 7203.