Police Make Arrest in Attempted Child Luring Incident
South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka announced Thursday that detectives had made an arrest in an attempted child luring that took place Tuesday afternoon. Police were called at 3:30pm Tuesday to a cul-de-sac off of Davidson Mill Road for a report a man in a white van attempting to lure a child. The juvenile told officers she had gotten off her school bus and observed a white construction van drive past her leading out of the cul-de-sac. She then observed the van turn around and begin to follow her from behind. The van then pulled next to her and the driver asked her about becoming his best friend. The girl ran to a home and the driver turned around in a driveway and drove away.
A canvass and interviews were conducted of area homes. Detectives determined that a white construction van had been doing work in the area. Detectives learned the construction van came back Samuels Construction out of Hamilton, NJ. Detective Monica Posteraro and Detective Brady Shelcusky were able to positively identify the van driver as Wayne F. Samuels age 34 of Trenton. Detectives learned that Mr. Samuels had an outstanding traffic warrant out of Jamesburg.
Mr. Samuels was taken into custody on the warrant at 4pm Wednesday at South Brunswick Police Headquarters. The investigation determined that Mr. Samuels had watched the student get off a bus and knew she was a juvenile when he began to follow her in his van. He attempted to lure her into providing information so that he could locate her later. Mr. Samuel was charged with attempted luring of a child. He was released on a summons pending his first court appearance on January 3rd.
Chief Hayducka said, “Few incidents raise as much concern as someone trying to lure a child. Within the first hour officers and detectives had identified a potential suspect. Just over 24 hours after the incident detectives had the suspect in custody. This case came together because of a brave juvenile and great police work.” Chief Hayducka also thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office for their assistance in the case.
Anyone with information about Mr. Samuels or who may have had any similar encounters with him is asked to call Detective Monica Posteraro at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7496.
