Child Luring Attempt Under Investigation In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester police are investigating after a caller reported an attempted child luring in Pine Lake Park on Friday afternoon.

The incident happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. Friday near Northampton Boulevard and Monmouth Avenue, Manchester police said. The woman told police a four-door white sedan with tinted windows pulled up as her daughter got off the school bus, and the driver made multiple gestures for the girl to get into his car, police said.

The driver was described as an Asian male in his 30s wearing a black jacket. The girl ran to her home and told her family, police said.

The car was last seen on Monmouth Avenue driving toward Champlain Street, police said.

"Patrol officers quickly flooded the area searching for the suspect vehicle but did not find it," police said.

The Manchester Schools' Transportation Department was notified and all of the bus drivers given a description of the sedan, police said.

Meanwhile, Manchester police were investigating, viewing numerous home surveillance systems in the surrounding area. They were unable to find any video or still images of the suspect vehicle, police said. A canvass of the area failed to result in any witnesses.

"Our children’s and our community’s safety is our department’s and school district’s number one priority," police said. "Rest assured that all investigatory steps are being taken to resolve this incident and to continue keeping our community safe."

Manchester police said the investigation is continuing and anyone who has any information about the vehicle or the incident is asked to contact police. The Manchester Township Police Department can be reached by phone at 732-657-6111. Messages can be sent to any of the department's social media pages, or anonymous tips can be sent through the department's tipline on its website.