Boy, 9, Grabbed By Man At Spray Park In Union County: Police

ELIZABETH, NJ — Authorities are searching for a man wanted in connection with an attempted child luring at a spray park in Elizabeth on Wednesday.

The alleged abduction happened at 6 p.m. on July 17 when a 9-year-old boy was at the Mickey Walker Recreation Center's Spray Park at 860 Anna St. in Elizabeth, police report.

The boy was waiting on the sidewalk in line for a water slide when a man grabbed the boy's arm and tried to pull him out of line, Elizabeth Police said.

The boy broke free and ran to his mother, police said.

The wanted man had been watching the children play for about 15 minutes before he approached the boy, police said.

The man was seen driving a blue or grey Honda Odyssey minivan with New Jersey plates that had dents on the front and back driver's side wheels and on the rear bumper under the driver's side tail light, police said.

The van was last seen driving on Anna Street towards Route 1&9.

The man is described as Hispanic in his 50's, 5'10" to 5'11" tall, medium build, facial hair, salt and pepper hair and wearing a baby blue shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James Szpond at 908-558-2041 or jszpond@elizabethnj.org.

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