NJ College Campuses On High Alert After Man Accused Of Luring Student Into Car
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A warning has gone out to four New Jersey college campuses alerting students to be on the lookout for a man who is accused of accosting and trying to lure a 19-year-old woman into his car.
Tony Kadyhrob, 68, was arrested and then released on bail after police said he harassed the student as she walked through the parking lot at the Lawrenceville campus of Rider University on the afternoon of March 28.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports: New Jersey Colleges On High Alert
Podcast
Rider students knew right away who Kadyhrob was. The school has used every method of communication, including posting flyers telling them to be aware of a man who police said admits to liking women between the ages of 18 and 30.
On Tuesday a judge banned Kadyhrob from going on any college campus in New Jersey. However, he denied any involvement. CBS 2's Sean Hennessey tried speaking with the man police said tried to lure the 19-year-old into a while Oldsmobile.
"I have nothing to say. This is a joke," Kadyhrob said.
But freshman Zelarie Austin said she's seen Kadyhrob many times at Rider. Then she said she received his photo and a warning from school security on her cell phone last week.
"He would be in an area doing more looking and watching," Austin told CBS 2's Emily Smith. "It was frightening because I had seen him before and I'd actually walked right past him before. I had no idea looking at him that he was thinking the things he was thinking or plotting anything."
"It was in the middle of the afternoon, fortunately. The student got away and called police," Rider University spokesman Dan Higgins said. "If he's seen on our campus at any time for any reason he's subject to arrest for trespassing."
Nearby, the College of New Jersey also has students on alert after Kadyhrob, while out on bail, allegedly showed up there. Police said in one case he was confronted by authorities and banned from campus, only to return a few days later.
While he has no violent criminal history police consider Kadyhrob's behavior strange, out of the ordinary and concerning.
"It appears he views himself as a colleague or potential suitor for them," Lawrence Township Police Lt. Charles Edgar told CBS 2's Sean Hennessey.
Officials are urging students at Rider, College of New Jersey, Princeton and Rutgers to be extra vigilant, walk in pairs and be aware of their surroundings.
"It's just disturbing. I mean a 68-year-old? I think of a grandfather. And when you think of a grandfather you usually think happy thoughts," student Alicia Livelli said.
Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below.
