'Potential Luring Incident' Reported in Westwood

Editor's note: Police Chief Frank Papapietro is advising residents to immediately call 9-1-1 if they witness any attempted luring in progress.

Westwood Police are searching for a man involved in a "potential luring incident" Thursday morning, according to Police Captain Frank Durante.

The incident took place on Lafayette Avenue at about 7:10 a.m. when the Westwood Jr./Sr. High School student was walking to school, Durante said. The man allegedly stopped and offered the girl a ride. She declined and reported the incident when she got to school.

Police are searching for information about the man. He was described as being middle-aged with short hair, either balding or a crew cut. He was driving a gray four-door hatchback with a NYPD sticker in the front left windshield.

Anyone with information can contact Westwood Police at 201-664-7000.

Numerous luring incidents have been reported in Bergen County over the past month. Two incidents were reported in Washington Township in mid September, in which drivers in gray or silver cars offered rides to children on Ridgewood Road.

Police in Oradell are investigating an incident in which a man offered a ride to a 7-year-old boy. Police have said the incident may be related to other luring attempts in Maywood, Hackensack and Hawthorne.

Ridgewood Police reported that three men recently tried to lure a middle school student into their car.

In Ramsey, no recent luring incidents have been reported, but police are stepping up patrols around schools. Police said the recent luring attempts present an opportunity for parents to discuss safety tips with their kids.

Stay tuned with Patch for updates as they become available.