Lakewood police responded to a 911 call about an attempted kidnapping near Forest Park Circle at around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 21, the department said in a news release. Police learned that a man tried to force the girl into a white SUV.
The teen was able to get away from the man and the man left the area. Members of the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch (also known as the Lakewood Shomrim) helped search for the suspect.
Investigators learned about a second incident in a neighboring town but it's unclear if it's related to the attempted Lakewood abduction. The Ocean County Sheriff's Department and county prosecutor's office are helping in the investigation.
Anyone with information about the attempted kidnapping should call Lakewood police at 732-363-0200.
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