TOMS RIVER, NJ – A man in a white SUV who allegedly attempted to abduct a young girl in Lakewood and another in a nearby town has not yet been reported by police.
Last night, the Lakewood Police Department responded to a report of an attempted kidnapping in the vicinity of Forest Park Circle at approximately 7:30 PM. Officers were dispatched following a 911 call concerning a male suspect, described as either Black or Hispanic, trying to abduct a teenage girl into a white SUV.
The victim, a young girl, managed to escape, prompting the suspect to flee the scene. During the search, with help from Lakewood Shomrim, authorities discovered a similar incident in a neighboring town, though it remains unclear if the two are connected.
A police chase was later reported at around 1:30 am in Toms River. According to initial reports, the suspect’s vehicle was identified, and a police chase ensued, ending in a crash. A further police foot chase followed, culminating in the arrest of a male suspect.
The suspect’s vehicle crashed into a utility pole.
The investigation remains underway, with Lakewood Police collaborating closely with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Several leads are being pursued to apprehend the suspect involved in this distressing incident.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is now handling the investigation.