Suspects sought in near-abduction of Brick Township youngster

Two men suspected of trying to lure, then force, a 10-year-old Brick Township girl into a minivan on September 19 are the object of an intensifying search by township police.

Officers responding to the Waterside Gardens complex at about 9 PM encountered the youngster, who described two men who allegedly accosted her while she was playing hide-and-seek with friends.

According to police, she refused their efforts to coax her into joining them, after which one confronted her, grabbed her arm and threatened to take her by force.

The girl told police that she broke away and ran, at which point they raced off in another direction, climbed into a running minivan, and drove off.

Both are described as while males. Police say one wore a Yankees ball cap, blue tank-top shirt that exposed tattoos covering both his arms to the wrists, and blue jeans. He was described as emitting an odor of sweat and alcohol.

The second suspect is described as having worn white cargo shorts, a tan shirt and glasses, with a ball cap and possibly a tattoo on his right bicep.

The minivan is described as blue, dirty, with silver tire rims.

Anyone with information that would help advance the probe should call Detective Bob Shepherd, 732-262-1121.