N.J. Police Departments Urge Vigilance After Attempted Child Luring Incidents

HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Parents in Bergen County were on edge Friday following reports of three attempted child abductions in three neighboring towns.

The latest incident happened in Hackensack on Friday morning, when authorities said an 11-year-old boy was walking to school.

Police said an older man with a scruffy beard, driving a Jeep Wrangler, pulled up to the intersection of Union and Sussex Street and asked the boy for directions to Costco. However, the boy refused and got away, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.

1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck Reports

"He attempted the lure the child into the car, to entice him in by asking some questions. When the child refused, he continued on his way," Hackensack Police Capt. Thomas Salcedo told 1010 WINS.

Parents like Irene Avila said they are keeping their nervous kids close.

"I feel kinda scared because if I'd get kidnapped. I would have been very scared," said Avila's son, David.

Earlier, police had been investigating the possibility the same man may be responsible for attempted luring incidents in Oradell and Maywood.

Last Saturday, an 8-year-old girl in the front yard of her grandparents' home in Maywood was asked if she wanted to go with the suspect and see his puppies.

On Tuesday, a 7-year-old girl was approached by a man the girl claimed got out of a gray car. She was also able to get away from the suspect.

However, CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez reported Friday night that authorities don't believe there is a connection with the Hackensack incident. Police were urging parents and their children to be extra vigilant.

Parents like Debbie Taylor Maywood were on edge.

"You don't go to anybody that you don't know.  Don't look at them. Now we're afraid to even leave them," she told CBS 2's Sanchez.

Police said children should be reminded to be cautious, given that even the nicest people can have bad intentions.

"They have to know where the safe places are, whether it's a relative's house or a friend's house they can go to -- a school, a library a police station, " Maywood Police Chief David Pegg said.

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