Man Arrested In Attempted South Brunswick Child Luring, Cops Say

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police said they made an arrest in an attempted child luring that took place Tuesday afternoon.

At 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to a cul-de-sac off Davidson Mill Road for a report a man in a white van attempting to lure a child. The juvenile told officers she had gotten off her school bus and observed a white construction van drive past her leading out of the cul-de-sac.

She then observed the van turn around and begin to follow her from behind. The van then pulled next to her and the driver asked her about becoming his best friend, police said. The girl ran to a home and the driver turned around in a driveway and drove away.

Police canvased the area, and talked to residents. Detectives determined that a white construction van had been doing work in the area. The construction van came back Samuels Construction out of Hamilton, N.J. Detective Monica Posteraro and Detective Brady Shelcusky were able to positively identify the van driver as Wayne F. Samuels, 34, of Trenton, they said, wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant out of Jamesburg.

Samuels was taken into custody on the warrant at 4 p.m. Wednesday at South Brunswick police headquarters. Police say he had watched the student get off a bus and knew she was a juvenile when he began to follow her in his van. He allegedly attempted to lure her into providing information so that he could locate her later.

Samuels was charged with attempted luring of a child. He was released on a summons pending his first court appearance on January 3.

“Few incidents raise as much concern as someone trying to lure a child. Within the first hour officers and detectives had identified a potential suspect. Just over 24 hours after the incident detectives had the suspect in custody. This case came together because of a brave juvenile and great police work," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka.

Mugshot released by South Brunswick Police.