Alert Issued to Parents After Attempted Luring Incident in Berkeley Heights

The School District of the Chathams issued an alert to parents Tuesday after a female student in Berkeley Heights was approached by a man who asked if she wanted a ride.

There was no school on Tuesday, and Superintendent Jim O'Neill said because of that, the alert was merely "cautionary."

Berkeley Heights Police reported that a 17-year-old female high school student waiting at a bus stop on Plainfield Avenue near Liberty Avenue Tuesday morning at 6:55 a.m. was approached by a male driver. The student was waiting to go to the Union County Magnet School in Scotch Plains, according to police.

According to the report, the suspect said: "Hey, your bus isn't coming today. Would you like a ride?"

Police said the female said no, and the suspect then asked, "Can I have your phone
number?" She also refused that request, according to police. Police said the suspect then asked if the female wanted his phone number, and when she said no, he drove off southbound on Plainfield Avenue.

The driver was described as a man in his 30s or 40s with short dark hair. Police said he was driving a two-door white van with New York license plates that has no sliding door.

Correction: A previous version of this article said the incident was reported by Madison Borough Police.