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Illegal immigrant denied bail reduction
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
By MATT DUNN
Staff Writer
VINELAND -- A 22-year-old illegal immigrant has been charged with attempting to abduct an 11-year-old girl earlier this month in Vineland.

Arturo Hernandez, of South 8th Street, was charged by Vineland Police on Sept. 12 with attempted kidnapping.

He was denied a reduction in bail on Friday in connection with the Sept. 10 incident.

Details surrounding what allegedly happened were sketchy on Monday. Cumberland County Prosecutor Ron Casella was unavailable for comment.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Mike Ostrowski, who spoke at Friday's bail hearing, Hernandez grabbed the victim by the wrist at an undisclosed location, stating, "Come on, let's go."

Ostrowski said that the victim's aunt witnessed "a portion of the incident."

With her help, the victim, who prosecutors said did not know Hernandez, was able to break free from the heavily intoxicated man, Ostrowski said.

"Hernandez jumped into a motor vehicle (with) temporary Pennsylvania tags" and fled the scene, he added.

Later, Ostrowski said police found the motor vehicle and Hernandez.

Hernandez, identified in court as an illegal immigrant, was lodged in Cumberland County Jail in lieu of $150,000 cash or bond.

The incident occurred a little over a week after the rape of a 13-year-old Millville girl, who prosecutors said was picked up outside of the Dollar Superstore on Irving Avenue in Bridgeton.

Five illegal immigrants have been charged.