ASBURY PARK – An Asbury Park man was arrested after luring and kidnapping an 11-year-old girl last week, officials said.
Raquan M. Folk, 29, is charged with first-degree Kidnapping, second-degree Luring a Child, and third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child via Sexual Conduct.
Around 5:30 p.m. May 30, the victim was walking on Ridge Avenue in Asbury Park when a man, later identified as Folk, pulled up to her in a white Kia.
Authorities said that Folk convinced her to get inside the car and proceeded to drive to neighboring Neptune Township. He stopped the vehicle and told the victim to disrobe, prompting her to ask to use a bathroom, officials said.
Folk then stopped at a vehicle service station and at that time the victim ran, flagged down a passerby, and was taken to the Neptune Township Police Department.
Folk was taken into custody without incident on June 1 and brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing. The State is filing a motion to keep him detained as the criminal case against him proceeds, officials said.
Anyone with information about this incident or Folk’s activities is asked to contact MCPO Detective Kayla Santiago at 800-533-7443.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
