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Parents On Edge After Rash Of Luring Attempts In Bergen County

LEONIA, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Parents in Bergen County are on edge after a rash of luring attempts of children over the past week and another one reported Friday morning.

Police are warning parents that several suspects may be on the prowl trying to lure young kids. At least eight children have been targeted so far, police said.

Parents On Edge After Rash Of Luring Attempts In Bergen County

attempted child luring
Police are looking for this man in connection with an attempted luring of a child in Leonia. (Credit: CBS 2)

Police in Leonia said a 13-year-old girl was walking near Fort Lee Road Friday around 8 a.m. when she was approached by a man driving a four-door gold-colored Honda.

The suspect rolled down his window and asked the girl to get in the car and show him to the post office, police said. The girl refused and ran away.

The suspect is described as white, in his 50s, with a medium build, and grey mustache.

This most recent luring attempt comes on the heels of two other luring attempts in Leonia this week.

Leonia luring sketch
Police are searching for this man who allegedly made sexual comments to young girls in two separate incidents in Leonia, N.J. (Credit: CBS 2/Leonia Police)

Detectives are also looking into two cases where a man yelled inappropriate sexual comments to girls who ran away. They're now on the hunt for a man in his 50s driving a light blue SUV with New Jersey plates.

In Ridgefield Park, investigators have released a sketch of one of two suspects they said approached a 10-year-old boy from a car Monday afternoon.

Bergen County Luring Suspect
A sketch of a suspect in a string of luring incidents in Bergen County, N.J. (Credit: Ridgefield Park Police/CBS 2)

They said the boy did the right thing and ignored them, riding his bike home and immediately telling his parents.

"It's evident they're doing a great job with their son and he knew exactly what to do at the right time," said Lt. Joe Rella with Ridgefield Park police.

"I'm scared and worried," said Ridgefield Park parent Wanda Portorreal. "I'm going to have a sit down with them today."

On Wednesday in nearby Norwoord, two girls reported a man driving a Jeep Wrangler outside Norwood Public School motioned them to his car, police said.

Police said they can't stress enough the importance of giving your kids a plan of action in case they are ever approached.

"Have the conversation," Rella said. "They know what to do and they readily act on it."

Police are beefing up patrols and are urging kids to stay in groups.

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