Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Suspicious Incident Involving Student at Bus Stop Unfounded

Police said an encounter Monday afternoon involving a middle school student and a motorist in a passing white van was a misunderstanding.

Tuesday Jan. 29

Police said an encounter between a middle school aged juvenile and a passing motorist in a white van Monday caused a misunderstanding that led officers to investigate a possible incident of luring. 

At 1:30 p.m. Monday, police said a male middle school student was waiting at a bus stop at the corner of Wynwood Drive and Doe Court. The juvenile told police that as he was waiting, a white van drove past and stopped to talk to him.

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The child told police he believed someone in the vehicle asked him if he wanted some candy or "to come inside the van."

The juvenile shook his head no and walked away from the stop, as the van drove off towards Route 1 without further incident, according to police. 

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An investigation into the incident determined that the encounter was a misunderstanding, according to police. A witness reported to authorities that a white van was in the neighborhood making a pizza delivery around the time of the incident. Officers then tracked down the pizza delivery driver and learned the driver’s 15-year-old son was also in the vehicle at the time.

Police said the driver's son was the person who spoke to the juvenile waiting at the bus stop, who he knew. The juvenile told police he didn’t realize it was someone he knew in the van and may have misunderstood the conversation.

“We take all reported incidents involving suspicious activities with juveniles seriously," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. “It was out of an abundance of caution that we issued the advisory as we investigated the incident. I appreciate the cooperation and assistance of Dr. McCartney and the South Brunswick School District with quickly sharing the information about the incident with all the students."

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Monday, Jan. 28

South Brunswick Police are investigating a suspicious incident Monday afternoon involving a motorist who asked a township juvenile if he wanted candy or to come inside the motorist's vehicle.

At 1:30 p.m., police said a male middle school student was waiting at a bus stop at the corner of Wynwood Drive and Doe Court. The juvenile told police that as he was waiting, a white van drove past and stopped to talk to him.

The driver of the van asked the child if he "wanted some candy or to come inside the van," police said.

The juvenile shook his head no and walked away from the stop, as the van drove off towards Route 1 without further incident, according to police. There were no known witnesses near the scene.

The white cargo van had no identifying markings on it and was occupied by a white male driver and an Asian male passenger, both believed to be between the ages of 17 and 25-years-old, police said. 

South Brunswick Superintendent Gary McCartney was briefed by police and will provide information to staff and students about the suspicious incident.

Police will also have increased patrols in the area as the investigation continues.

“We are working with area schools to inform them about the incident so extra precautions can be taken," said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "We are also looking for any witnesses who may have seen anything to contact the police department.” 

Anyone with information is asked to call South Brunswick Police at 732-329-4646


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