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” It must be noted these incidents appear not to be all similar. There are different descriptions of both the actors and the vehicles they used,” Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli said this afternoon. “This is not to downplay the possible seriousness of the topic, but rather to get reliable information to the public.
“These reported luring incidents may or may not be associated,” Ripoli said. “It is very possible that some incidents were legitimate requests for assistance. I ask that all of us be aware of these incidents and take the appropriate actions if there is any suspicious incidents.” (MORE, BELOW)
The reports that have produced sketches came from Maywood, Bergenfield, New Milford and Hackensack — and the latest, from yesterday in Northvale.
In Northvale, three girls and a boy told police a silver, four-door vehicle pulled over as they were walking on Tappan Road near the corner of Birchwood Road around 3:50 p.m.
“Do you guys want a ride home?” they said the driver asked.
They didn’t acknowledge and kept going, went to a safe house, police said.
“Because there are four and there are consistencies in their story, we’re treating it seriously,” an officer told CLIFFVIEW PILOT tonight.
They described the driver as having blonde or brown spiked hair.
Paramus police on Thursday said a resident reported on Tuesday that his 10-year-old son told him he’d been approached as he walked home from school on Oct. 11 by a man driving a black or gray vehicle on Lucky Hollow Drive.
The boy told his father that the man asked him if he needed a ride home. When he ignored the motorist, he said, he drove away. The boy described him as white, with a full head of hair and facial stubble and wearing sunglasses.
New Milford Police Chief Frank Papapietro pointed out that video surveillance set up by business owners or residents may contain a clue or two. If you live in any of the affected areas and have such cameras, police ask that you contact them.
Anyone with any other information about any of these incidents is also asked to call police.
Meanwhile, Ripoli and other police chiefs in Bergen County have urged parents to consider these important tips:
1) Discuss predatory lures with your children that are commonly used (asking for assistance, lost pet, bribery, faking an emergency about a family member, etc.)’
2) Encourage youngsters to travel in groups, to always be aware of their surroundings, and to be ever-alert;
3) If approached by a stranger, children should: a) DROP anything they are carrying that may slow them down; b) HOLLER and make as much noise or commotion as possible and c) RUN to a safe location.
4) They should NEVER get into a stranger’s car;
5) If they have a cellphone, they should dial 911. Program it in for them.
Detailed description of truck, man in Bergenfield attempted luring report
Ridgewood boy, 8, says man in restaurant bathroom said, ‘Come with me’
Distinctive features mark man in New Milford attempted luring report
Woodcliff Lake luring report a false alarm
Westwood police release sketch in alleged luring incident
‘Poor guy’ cleared in Lyndhurst suspected luring attempt
Have you seen this man? Hackensack police issue sketch
Maywood police seek man in possible child luring
Oradell incident connected to possible luring?
Separate Westwood High School luring incidents reported in Washington Township
ALSO:
- YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: Anxiety levels are rising amid reports of possible attempted lurings in Bergen County, including one early this morning in Fair Lawn in which neither two children, a witness nor police could say what exactly happened. This comes after two Lyndhurst boys made up a story about a man trying to lure them into his van. READ MORE….
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