Community Corner

Attempted Luring by Masked Man in Westfield

A man wearing a bandana over his face asks students if they want a ride.

A white male wearing a bandana covering his nose and mouth attempted to lure three Wilson Elementary School students into his car Thursday morning.

Westfield Police Captain Clifford Autcher said the students were walking to the elementary school when they were approached by the man at the intersection of Kimbell Avenue and Harrison Avenue in Westfield this morning. The man stopped his vehicle and asked the students if they wanted a ride to school. The students ran away from the vehicle and went straight to Wilson, Autcher said. At least two of the students are described as being in fifth grade.

The driver is described as a white male in his 40s, who was wearing black gloves and a bandana over his nose and mouth. He was driving an older, tan SUV that resembled a Chevrolet Suburban. The car had New York State license plates and damage to the passenger side door. Autcher did not know what type of damage.

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Police are currently on the lookout for the vehicle, and the Westfield police have posted officers at all Westfield schools for Thursday afternoon and Friday. The driver drove away after the students ran.

No attempted lurings have been reported at any of the Scotch Plains or Fanwood schools, Scotch Plains Police Detective Lt. Brian Donnelly said in a telephone interview. The Scotch Plains Police Department was made aware of the attempted luring in Westfield this morning, he said. 

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Wilson principal Joeseph Malanga sent an email to parents this morning. He informed them of the attempted luring, calling it a "stranger danger." He used the letter to remind parents that they need to reinforce safety issues with their students including attempted lurings. 

"This is the perfect time to review at home what your child should do in the event of a stranger danger situation," Malanga wrote. "I have listed for you several suggestions that our teachers will review with their students as well. Reinforcement at home is extremely important."

Among the tips Malanga recommended to parents are to tell students to move quickly away when approached by strangers and inform the nearest adult, be it a parent, teacher or crossing guard. Principals at neighboring schools also notified parents.


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