Jackson police officers are looking for a suspect who tried to grab a woman who had stopped on the side of a road to deal with car trouble. COURTESY OF JACKSON POLICE DEPT. JACKSON — Police are investigating an incident that they have classified as an attempted kidnapping. The incident occurred at about 4:15 p.m. May 2.
In a press release, Sgt. Christopher Parise said a 33-year-old woman from Toms River pulled her vehicle over on Bowman Road, just off East Veterans Highway, to check for a possible flat tire.
While the woman was checking her vehicle, another vehicle pulled up behind her and a male exited, according to the press release.
Police said that after the woman told the man she was OK, he grabbed her shoulder and began to pull her toward his vehicle, while making verbal commands indicating the same. The woman was subsequently struck in the face and sustained minor in- juries while attempting to get away from the man.
Police Capt. David Newman told the Tri-Town News on May 3 that the woman was able to drive away from the scene and called police several hours later to report the incident.
The suspect is described as a white male in his late 30s to early 40s, with a muscular build, approximately 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches in height, with short, dirty-blond colored hair and a lighter colored moustache. He has a deep voice.
At the time of the incident, the man was wearing blue jeans, a light colored T-shirt and tan work boots.
Police said the male’s vehicle was described as a newer, smaller four-door sedan, similar in size and style to a Honda Civic, and is dark in color, possibly black.
Police Officer Javier Delatorre handled the initial investigation and Detective Campbell Brown is heading the investigation. The Ocean County Criminalistics Investigation Unit responded, as well as Toms River Police Officer Christopher McDowell to complete a sketch of the suspect.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information about the suspect may call the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or Detective Brown at 732-833-3008.