Camden cops warn of possible predator

Camden authorities are asking city parents to pay close attention to their children as police search for a man believed to have assaulted several young girls.

Three attacks have been reported since October.

The most recent assault targeted an 11-year-old East Camden girl. The student from Camden Promise School was walking near Hayes and 36th streets about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 11. A man approached and attempted to force her into his dark-colored minivan. The girl escaped and ran to tell adults, said Teresa Sicard Archambeault, spokeswoman for the Camden police.

The first attack, on Oct. 16, occurred during daylight hours. A 14-year-old girl was walking near 8th and Everett streets at 1:20 p.m. when a man tried to grab her and force her into a minivan near Charles Sumner Elementary School. The girl was shaken, but managed to escape, Archambeault said.

On Nov. 11, a 14-year-old girl was grabbed near Riletta T. Cream Elementary School shortly after 7 p.m. and forced into a yard in the 1800 block of Mulford Street, where she was sexually assaulted, Archambeault said.

Police say they believe the attacks may be connected because the girls in two attacks reported seeing a dark minivan. The victims' descriptions of the attackers varied.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Ava Berry or Sgt. Kurt Clauss at 856-757-7271.