BELLEVILLE, NJ – What was being reported on social media as a possible kidnapping or luring attempt turned out to be a strong-armed robber of a Belleville juvenile on their way to school.
The Belleville Police Department quickly responded and investigated after the incident was reported on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Rocco Street in Belleville shortly after 8:00 am.
According to police, four suspects using a stolen motor vehicle approached a juvenile walking to school.
“One of the males exited the stolen motor vehicle and took the juvenile’s cell phone. These same individuals allegedly committed similar incidents in at least one other jurisdiction,” the Belleville Police Department reported. “Police were able to identify the vehicle immediately after the incident and determine that the vehicle and its occupants fled into the city of Newark.”
The vehicle was later recovered abandoned on the Garden State Parkway.
Police said several males were detained and detectives are investigating their role in our incident. T
No injuries reported.
The Belleville Police Department said that at no time was the robbery an attempt to kidnap the student.
On Wednesday, police increased their presence around Belleville schools as a precaution.
