Woman Tried To ‘Lure’ Away Child At Gas Station In Newark: Police

NEWARK, NJ — A woman’s attempt to lure an 8-year-old child away from a gas station convenience store in Newark was captured on video last week, authorities announced Tuesday.

The Newark Department of Public Safety released the following statement about the incident, which took place on Dec. 13:

“Police responded to reports of the incident, which occurred at approximately 4 p.m. at the Delta Gas Station, located in the 800-block of Clinton Avenue. The child, a passenger in a transportation van, had gone into the gas station convenience store for a snack while the driver was getting gas.”

Here’s what happened next, authorities said:

“An unknown female approached the girl and asked about her age and the whereabouts of her parents. The woman then grabbed the girl’s hand and escorted her out of the gas station’s mini-mart, but the child was able to break free from the woman’s grasp and run away into the transportation vehicle. The woman, however, boarded the van and got into an altercation with the driver, who drove north on Fabyan Place and west on Clinton Avenue with the woman inside. When the driver reached South 19th Street and Clinton Avenue, she stopped the vehicle and the woman was removed from the van by a passerby.”

Newark police released surveillance images of the suspect, which can be seen below.

Authorities said anyone with information can contact the Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). Anonymous tips can also be made using the Police Division’s website or its smartphone app.

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