Watch CBS News

New Jersey Man Accused Of Harassing Jewish Women As Part Of Gang Initiation

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey man is accused of attempting to lure Orthodox Jewish women as part of a gang initiation.

Rafael Laurano-Flores, 18, has been charged with obstruction, resisting arrest, bias intimidation and bias harassment, according to police in Lakewood, N.J.

Authorities said on Tuesday police responded to a report of an attempted abduction of a 16-year-old girl and a report of a man trying to follow a woman and her teenage daughter.

Detective Sgt. Greg Staffordsmith told the Asbury Park Press Laurano-Flores was trying to touch and knock down women from the Orthodox Jewish community as part of an initiation for the MS-13 gang.

Laurano-Flores was being held on $18,000 bail. It's not known if he has a lawyer.

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.