SOUTH TOMS RIVER — A 76-year-old Toms River man was charged Saturday with luring a girl Thursday, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
Ralph Maffie approached the 14-year-old girl Oct. 25 in the Wawa parking lot. He asked her if she needed a ride, to which she responded no.
Maffie allegedly continued to follow the girl in his car. He stopped next to her and opened his door and asked if she wanted money. The girl again said no.
The girl said he drove away, made a U-turn and returned in her direction. She told authorities she was frightened and ran away from the vehicle.
Ocean County and South Toms River detectives investigated with the assistance of the OCPO High Tech Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.
Maffie was arrested and charged Saturday with luring or enticing a child by various means. He was detained at Ocean County Jail.
