On Friday, a seven-year-old girl was grabbed by a man wearing a black ski mask on Blairs Court in Newark. She was standing by her parents' car when it happened.
Newark police say the would-be abductor covered the girl's mouth and fled with her on foot. Fortunately, the girl managed to break away.
Investigators are now comparing this to an incident that happened back in November in Bethel Township, Pa. There, a 13-year-old girl, who was waiting for a school bus, was approached by a masked man with a knife.
Police in both jurisdictions plan on comparing notes Wednesday.
"We all did touch base on this. We're looking at anything to see if there are similarities," said Det. Robert Balchunis of the Bethel Township Police.
While this investigation continues, parents are being asked to pay extra attention to their children.
"Obviously keep an eye on your children, know where they are. Don't leave them alone unsupervised. Make them have a plan if something happens, tell them to scream, to draw attention to themselves," said Lt. Brian Henry of the Newark Police.
Police in both agencies say it's important not to frighten your children, but rather to teach them about the dangers from strangers.
