Police probe reports of man in van approaching boys in Montclair

MONTCLAIR -- Police said they are investigating two possible luring cases reported about a week apart in Montclair. A 9-year-old boy was walking on Harrison Avenue around 8:20 a.m. Jan. 31 when a man in a green cargo van with no rear windows pulled up...

Police probe reports of man in van approaching boys in Montclair

MONTCLAIR -- Police said they are investigating two possible luring cases reported about a week apart in Montclair.

A 9-year-old boy was walking on Harrison Avenue around 8:20 a.m. Jan. 31 when a man in a green cargo van with no rear windows pulled up to the child, according to police spokesman Lt. David O'Dowd. A man got out of the van and asked the boy if he was lost, but the child did not respond before he left the area.

The man was described as white, with curly hair and a gray or brown beard, O'Dowd added.

Another similar incident reportedly occurred around 5 p.m. Thursday also on Harrison Avenue, where police said a 10-year-old boy was approached by a man driving an older, dark van.

"The male pulled the vehicle over beside the juvenile and inquired if he was lost, offering him a ride," O'Dowd said in a statement. "The juvenile did not respond to this subject and fled the area."

The man was described as white, 40 to 50 years old, with a brown beard. Police did not say if they believe the incidents are related.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

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