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NYPD Releases Video of Suspected Child Lurer in Queens

By Aidan Gardiner | January 30, 2013 8:37am

QUEENS — The NYPD released new surveillance footage Wednesday of a man wanted for allegedly trying to lure two teenage girls into his SUV last week in Corona.

In separate incidents, the man, who was driving a large black Cadillac Escalade along Northern Boulevard, tried to bait the victims to get into the vehicle, police said.

On Jan. 25 about 7 a.m., he tried to strike up a conversation with an unidentified 13-year-old girl walking along Northern Boulevard near 102nd Street, cops said.

But she walked away when she realized she didn't know him, police said, prompting the driver to hop out of the vehicle and chase her on foot, which is also captured on the security footage. He grabbed her arm when he caught up to her, but she wrested herself free and fled, cops said.

About 13 hours later, he tried again.

Driving again along Northern Boulevard, near Parsons Boulevard, he pulled up beside a 14-year-old girl and beckoned her to his Cadillac, cops said. She didn't, but he continued to follow her until she ran away.

Cops described the driver as between 30- and 35-years-old, and weighing about 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, dark pants, and a blue collared shirt, police said.

Neither girl was injured in the incidents, but in an unrelated incident nearby, another man sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl in an Elmhurst grocery store.

The spate of crimes against children has nearby schools on high alert. Administrators began planning events and lessons to teach both parents and students about the dangers of speaking to strangers.

"We're a little on edge right now," said Nicole Bailey, principal of Learning Tree Multi-Cultural School, which is just a block from the first incident. 

"Immediately, I thought about my students walking home. Were on a very busy street. You've got regular cars, you've got taxis," she added. "If something should happen to them, they need to know to tell an adult right away."

Cops are also looking for a suspect who allegedly exposed himself to two young girls in Flushing on Monday morning. The victims, ages 12 and 13, were not injured, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or to visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.