GTPD: Teen Girls Approached by 'Suspicious' Man

Police believe it was the same man who approached two juvenile girls and attempted to engage them in conversation in separate incidents Thursday night.

The victims told police they were approached by a man driving a red or burgundy, four-door car, with New Jersey license plates, as they walked home, Gloucester Township Police Capt. Jeff Weiserth said.

Police described the "suspicious person" as a dark-skinned, black male, who is about 5-foot-6 and was speaking with an accent.

One incident occurred near the Gloucester Township Recreation Center, on Broadacres Drive, and the other in the Cherrywood Apartments complex, off Little Gloucester Road.

Police converged on the area of Cherrywood Apartments around 9:30 Thursday night after receiving a report of an unusual encounter from one of the victims, a 16-year-old girl.

That girl told police she was walking through the Cherrywood parking lot when a car pulled alongside her and the driver attempted to engage her in conversation, Weiserth said.

The 16-year-old girl ignored the driver and continued to walk through the parking lot.

The man drove the car ahead of the girl and pulled into a parking spot. He then reportedly reversed the vehicle, partially blocking the girl's path. The female continued to ignore the driver and walked home.

The 16-year-old girl relayed to police that she called her friend, a 17-year-old girl, when she got home and learned the friend had a similar experience after the two parted ways.

The 17-year-old girl told investigators the driver exited a vehicle and walked alongside her, attempting to talk to her while in the area of the rec center. She also ignored the driver, who went back to the car and then drove away in an unknown direction.

Weisert noted that the man did not attempt to lure either girl into his vehicle.

Police ask that anyone who can provide any information about the suspect or these incidents call police dispatch at 856-228-4500 or the township's anonymous tip line at 856-842-5560.