LAKEWOOD, NJ — The Lakewood Police Department is calling for community patience as it continues an internal investigation into the arrest of a 40-year-old man accused of attempting to lure a minor, an incident that has sparked public protest and controversy.
Binyomin Kubani, a local yeshiva student and father of seven, was arrested on July 3 and charged with attempting to lure a child into a vehicle. He was released Monday under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines, placed on Level 2 pretrial monitoring following a detention hearing in Ocean County.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Kubani allegedly approached a 15-year-old boy at a car wash on Ocean Avenue and asked if he “would like to make some money,” while making a hand gesture the victim believed to be sexual in nature. The teen photographed the van and Kubani, alerted his mother, and notified police.
Supporters of Kubani, including community members and Orthodox Jewish leaders, claim the incident was a misunderstanding. Reports on Matzav.com state that Kubani speaks limited English and had previously employed the teen, allegedly seeking assistance with carpet cleaning.
The arrest led to a demonstration outside the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on Sunday, where nearly 1,000 gathered to demand his release. Photos taken following the release show Beth Medrash Govoha CEO Yosef Heinemann embracing Kubani.
In a public statement, the Lakewood Police Department said, “We recognize the seriousness of these concerns and the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability… this matter is being taken with the utmost seriousness and is being investigated thoroughly and objectively.”
Kubani has not yet entered a plea. The case remains open and under investigation by both law enforcement and internal affairs.
