Man Charged With Attempted Kidnapping, Luring for Incidents in Lakewood and Toms River

By Hamodia Staff

A Farmingdale, New Jersey resident has been charged with attempted kidnapping, luring, endangering the welfare of a child, and other counts for allegedly trying to kidnap one teenage girl in Lakewood then touching another inappropriately in Toms River before being apprehended following a police pursuit, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Around 7:30 p.m. Thursday night, a male suspect driving a white SUV attempted to pull a teenage girl into his vehicle in the area of Forest Park Circle in Lakewood. The girl was able to break away and run home, and the suspect drove away. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lakewood Police resulted in law enforcement obtaining a description of the suspect as well as the vehicle he was driving.

At 9:00 p.m. the same night, in the Target parking lot on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, a man approached a female victim and grabbed her in an inappropriate manner, before fleeing. Toms River Police Officers were able to identify and follow the suspect fleeing from the Target parking lot, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The suspect, who was traveling at a high rate of speed, entered the Garden State Parkway northbound, driving erratically. Police decided to terminate the pursuit, but they were able to obtain the registration number for the vehicle.  

Officers thereafter learned that the individual believed to be operating the vehicle, Quamel Benton, 35, of Farmingdale, was a person of interest in connection with an aggravated assault that occurred earlier the same evening, in Willingboro Township, Burlington County. Through continuing investigation, law enforcement was able to confirm that the description of the suspect in both the Lakewood and Toms River incidents matched that of Benton.

At 12:40 a.m., Toms River Police were notified that a man was attempting to enter a vehicle occupied by a female. Police responded to the scene, and positively identified Benton as the suspect trying to enter the vehicle. Benton attempted to flee the area, and a chase ensued, which ultimately resulted in Benton losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a utility pole in the area of Route 70 and Whitesville Road.  Following a foot pursuit, Benton was apprehended.

The Ocean County Prosecutor has charged Benton with counts including attempted kidnapping, luring, endangering the welfare of a child, eluding, resisting arrest, and obstruction, for the incidents in Lakewood and Toms River.

Additionally, Benton was charged by the Willingboro Police with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the incident in Willingboro.