Man Accosted, Punched Manchester Middle Schoolers At Bus Stops: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ -- Manchester Township police are searching for a man they say accosted two middle school students, stole the cell phone of one and assaulted the other Wednesday morning at their school bus stops.

The suspect is described as a white male between the ages of 18 and 23, about 5-foot-10 and weighing between 140 and 150 pounds, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said. He is described as having green eyes, a pale skin tone, black hair, and black marks on the left side of his face. He was said to be wearing a black hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head, a bandana over his face, black pajama-style pants with a red stripe and black shoes, Malland said.

The incidents occurred Wednesday morning in the Pine Lake section of the township, police and Manchester Township Schools Superintendent David Trethaway said.

Malland said police responded to the report of a robbery involving a Manchester Middle School student and an unidentified white male. The 14-year-old victim reported to the officers that he was approached by an unknown male suspect while waiting for the school bus.

The student, who was alone at the time of the incident, told officers he was at his bus stop in the area of Cumberland Boulevard when the suspect approached him on a bicycle and asked to use his cell phone. The student obliged, after which the suspect said he was going to take the cell phone and that if the student had a problem with it, the student was going to get punched in the face, Malland said the boy reported. The student offered no resistance and the suspect rode away on what was described as a purple-colored mountain bike, Malland said.

A short time later, a second student was approached at a bus stop located in the area of Middlesex Street, Malland said. The suspect asked to use the second student's phone, but the second student refused, Malland said. The suspect then hit the boy several times with a closed fist and rode away on what was described as a purple-colored mountain bike similar to what was described in first incident. The second student was uninjured and did not report the incident until he arrived at school, Malland and Trethaway said.

Trethaway, in a letter to parents that is posted on the Manchester schools' website, said the school district has relocated some bus stops to ensure that no student is alone at a bus stop in the wake of the incidents. He said the district is cooperating with the police department on the incidents.

Malland released a sketch of the suspect and a photo of the man that was captured by a nearby surveillance camera.

Anyone having any information regarding the incidents is urged to contact the Manchester Township Police Dispatch immediately at 732-657-6111 or Detective Adam Emmons at 732-657-2009, ext. 4203. Tips also may be submitted through private Facebook message; click here for the Manchester Police Facebook page.

Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.manchesterpolicenj.com and click on the Tip Line link.