Crime & Safety

Man, 55, Charged With Stalking, Seducing 12-Year-Old Girl At Stafford Library

A 55-year-old man was arrested Saturday for stalking, and trying to seduce a 12-year-old girl at the Stafford Township branch of the Ocean County Library, police said.

Mark E. Allan of Tuckerton was charged with second-degree luring or enticing a child, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

The Stafford Township Police Department made the arrest in conjunction with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Victim’s Unit.

On Friday, Stafford Police responded to the Stafford Branch of the Ocean County Library on Route 9 in Manahawkin, after a 12 year old female reported that an older man had been following her around and passed her an inappropriate message, along with his phone number.

Stafford Township Detectives Drew Smith, along with Investigator Jay Steele of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office conducted an undercover operation posing as the 12-year-old victim.

During the operation, the suspect communicated with the undercover officers, at which time he planned to meet the victim alone at a predetermined location, police said.

When the suspect arrived to meet the 12-year-old girl, he was instead greeted by the 6’0 230 lb undercover male officer, who apprehended the suspect without incident.

Allan was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $100,000.00 bail set by Superior Court Judge Gizinski, with a future court appearance, yet to be set in Ocean County Superior Court.

Stafford Township Patrol Division, and Stafford Township Drug Enforcement Unit assisted in the investigation.


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