A 12-year-old girl was assaulted on her way to school Thursday morning in Pleasantville, police said.
Officers were called to the 400 block of West Brighton Avenue at about 7:40 a.m., Lt. Stacey Schlachter said.
Witnesses told police that an “older” African-American man wearing a black work coat, tan work pants, and a tan hat with black trim attacked the girl in or near a wooded area between the 400 blocks of Brighton and Wellington avenues, according to the report.
The suspect was wearing a mask, witnesses said.
The girl was taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
No further information is being released regarding the victim at this time, Schlachter said.
Pleasantville Police are on alert and additional marked and unmarked units remain on patrol during school dismissal to ensure the safety of the public, she said
“We want everyone to know that the Police Department takes this incident extremely seriously and we are using every resource at our disposal to bring this suspect in and to keep the public safe,” Deputy Chief James Williams said. “Our officers will be out in force to keep our kids and our community safe while we investigate this incident. We ask our residents to be vigilant and if they see something, to say something and contact us immediately.”
Pleasantville residents are asked to exercise vigilance and to contact police with any information regarding this incident.
Williams is heading this investigation.
Schlachter said updates will follow as new information becomes available.
The public can contact police using 911, at 609 641-6100, or supervisor@pleasantvillepd.org
Anonymous tips can be sent via the Pleasantville Police Department’s website or Atlantic County Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppersatlantic.com
