LAKEWOOD – A township man remains behind bars after allegedly trying to lure a teenage girl into his vehicle for sex acts, according to police.
The Lakewood Township Police Department said 40-year-old Julio Anchia is accused of preying on the 16-year-old girl on March 31 at the Highpoint Condominium Complex.
Police had been searching for the man for nearly two weeks.
In a prepared news release, police said the victim, who was not only smart enough to refuse his advances, thought quickly enough to record the suspect on her phone as he became more and more insistent that she give into his demands.
A concerned citizen was able to identify the man as Anchia on April 8 and when Detective Patrick Kearns attempted to locate Anchia at his home, he had already fled the area.
After several additional leads regarding his whereabouts were exhausted, criminal charges were approved by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and notification was made statewide in hope that another law enforcement agency may have some information or apprehend him.
Anchia turned himself in to the authorities on April 11. He was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Attempted Luring, 2nd Attempted Sexual Assault and 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child..
Anchia was transported to the Ocean County Jail.
