HOWELL – Police have released a sketch of a man who offered gifts to two youngsters in front of a home in Howell on the afternoon of Dec. 12. The sketch was prepared by the New Jersey State Police and released on Dec. 27.
The Howell Police Department is continuing its investigation of an incident that has been described as a possible child luring. The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. Dec. 12 in front of a home on Pitch Pine Lane in Howell.
Pitch Pine Lane is in a residential development off Fort Plains Road.
Police said that since the incident was reported, detectives have followed up on several leads, canvassed the neighborhood and reviewed digital and electronic records and data from various sources.
The investigation included an interview with a private investigator who has been in the neighborhood, but was not in the neighborhood on Dec. 12, according to police.
Police said detectives have attempted to track down local individuals who may have a connection to Delaware because the suspect’s car may have had a Delaware license plate.
As of now, the suspect has not been identified and police said the investigation will continue.
Regarding the incident, Howell police said they were informed that the male driver of a black newer model Hyundai Sonata spoke with two children, ages 8 and 11, who were playing in their front yard. The driver was described as a male with light-brown skin, possibly Hispanic or Middle Eastern, about 30 years old.
It was reported that the driver stopped his vehicle in front of the house and asked the children if they wanted Christmas gifts. The driver then handed the 11-year-old several gifts, including an Amazon gift card and a coloring book.
At that time the mother of the child exited the house and noticed the man talking to the children. When the driver saw the mother, he sped off, according to police.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Janet Benitez or Detective Cpl. Nancy Carroll at 732-938-4575, ext. 2885/2884, or via email at jbenitez@howellpolice.org or ncarroll@howellpolice.org
Anonymous tips may be submitted through the Howell Police Department’s tip line at www.p3tips.com
