Garfield Man Charged in Wallington Child Luring Incident

Authorities say the suspect faces second-degree luring charges and is being held in Bergen County Jail.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 7:35pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car side mirror reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the disturbing nature of a child luring incident.A shattered car mirror reflects the aftermath of an alleged child luring attempt, raising concerns about public safety.Garfield Today

A 43-year-old Garfield man has been arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree child luring after allegedly trying to lure two children into his vehicle in Wallington, New Jersey. The suspect, Mark Jankowski, is currently being held in the Bergen County Jail pending a court appearance.

Why it matters

This case adds to a troubling rise in child luring incidents across New Jersey, both in-person and online, raising concerns about child safety in local communities.

The details

According to authorities, an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the Wallington Police Department revealed that Jankowski was in a car at the intersection of Hayward Place and Locust Avenue on April 10 when he allegedly attempted to lure two children into his vehicle.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Jankowski was arrested in Wallington on the same day.

The players

Mark Jankowski

A 43-year-old Garfield resident who has been charged with two counts of second-degree child luring.

Mark Musella

The Bergen County Prosecutor who announced the charges against Jankowski.

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What’s next

Jankowski is being held in the Bergen County Jail pending a first court appearance in Bergen County Superior Court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of child safety in local communities and the need for vigilance and proactive measures to protect vulnerable youth from predatory behavior.