NJ Man Sexually Assaulted, Lured Kids At Mall, Target, Jury Finds

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — A jury found a man guilty Thursday of sexually assaulting a child in the Rockaway Townsquare Mall and luring another boy at the township's Target.

Kyriakos Serghides touched the private area of a 5-year-old boy Aug. 28, 2015, in the mall's food court restroom. A few weeks later, the Rockaway Borough man lured another 5-year-old boy at the local Target and tried leaving the store with him.

He was arrested Sept. 11, 2015 — the day after the Target incident.

Serghides, 41, was convicted of one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of second-degree attempted kidnapping, one count of second-degree luring, one count of second-degree attempted sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The jury acquitted Serghides of one count each for terroristic threats (third-degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (third-degree) and unlawful possession of a weapon (fourth-degree).

His sentencing is set for March 25. He remains in custody.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll thanked the Rockaway Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff's Office and the prosecutor's office's Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit for their efforts in the investigation and prosecution.

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