QUEENS — A Flushing man who cops believe tried to lure two teenage girls into his luxury SUV last week was arrested after cops figured out that it was a rental, police said.
The man approached a 13-year-old girl in his Cadillac Escalade on Northern Boulevard, near 102nd Street, on Jan. 25 and tried to make small talk, police said. When the girl ignored him, police said the man jumped out of the vehicle and tried to grab her arm.
The girl managed to pull away and escape, police said.
Later that day, the suspect allegedly tried to engage a 14-year-old girl on Northern and Parsons boulevards and tried to get her to get in the vehicle, cops said. When she refused, police said, he continued to follow her in the Escalade before she was able to duck the vehicle and escape.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly praised the work of the detectives in collaring the suspect and said the suspect has made statements implicating himself.
"They surmised it may have been a rented vehicle," Kelly said. "In fact, it was rented. They went through the universe of Cadillac Escalades that were available for rent and for hire. That's what led them to the individual who was arrested."
Neither girl was injured, police said.
On Wednesday, police released video of the suspect. He was taken into custody the next day.
The man was arrested and charged with luring a child, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, police said.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Charges against the suspect were later dropped, according to the Queens District Attorney's office.
