Man Tried To Abduct Teen, Summit Police Say (UPDATE)

SUMMIT, NJ — Police have charged a 33-year-old Union Township man with first-degree kidnapping after he allegedly approached a 19-year-old woman walking in Summit Saturday afternoon, according to a joint release from the Union County Prosecutor's Office and Summit police.

County Prosecutor Lyndsay Ruotolo and Summit Police Chief Andrew Bartolotti said in the release that "swift action on the part of police officers in Summit resulted in the thwarting of an attempted abduction over the weekend."

Shervon James, 33, of the Vauxhall section of Union Township, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, they said.

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday, according to police, the 19-year-old victim, a resident of Summit, was walking on Fernwood Road near Whittredge Road in Summit.

The release said, "She was approached by an individual (later identified as James) driving a white four-door sedan, according to the preliminary investigation. James was kept under surveillance until arrest warrants were issued, and he was taken into custody without incident."

Officials would not respond to questions about whether the suspect and victim knew each other. Patch will update the story if more information is received.

James was transported to the Union County Jail, where he awaits a first appearance and detention hearing in Union County Superior Court.

The woman was unharmed, officials say.

“An immediate and thorough response by police officers and detectives ensured the swift apprehension of the suspect,” Chief Bartolotti said. “Evidence indicates that this was an isolated incident, and there was no danger to other members of the community.”

Authorities are now asking property owners on Fernwood Road between Whittredge Road and Hillcrest Avenue, and on Woodmere Drive between Hillcrest and Summit avenues, to check their home security systems for video surveillance footage recorded on Saturday between 3:45 and 4:10 p.m., showing the white sedan, which had black rims.

Please contact detectives at 908-277-9400 (press option one, then option six, for the Detective Bureau) with any recorded footage.

Prosecutor Ruotolo and Chief Bartolotti thanked the Union Police Department, under the leadership of Director Daniel Zieser, for their assistance.

Convictions on such a charge are commonly punishable by terms of 10 to 20 years in state prison, the release said.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Don't miss Summit breaking news alerts when they are announced, or get a free daily morning newsletter with Hoboken news. Sign up with your preferences here.

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.