Police said a young man placed a 6-year-old child in the backseat of a car and then drove away.
LAKEWOOD -- Police are searching for a young man they say took a 6-year-old girl, placed her in the backseat of a car and then "casually" drove away.
The incident happened Monday just after 3 p.m. on Stirling Avenue, police said.
The victim's father told police that his daughter was outside playing, without adult supervision, when she was approached by a man who was riding his bike, Lakewood police Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith said in a statement.
Staffordsmith said the man allegedly picked up the girl, placed her in the back of an unlocked parked car and then left the area, "casually riding away."
The girl remained in the car until a friend rode by, noticed her inside the vehicle and then let her out, Staffordsmith said.
The child's family contacted the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch whose members then called the police. By the time a Lakewood police officer arrived, the friend who let the girl out of the vehicle had left, Staffordsmith said.
Staffordsmith urged anyone with information to contact Detective Michael Mooney Jr. at 732-363-0200 ext. 5341.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.