By: Richard L. Smith
An Asbury Park man has been found guilty of luring and kidnapping an 11-year-old girl in a 2023 incident that sent shockwaves through the community.
The conviction, which followed an eight-day trial, was announced by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday.
Raquan Folk, 30, was convicted by a jury on charges of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree luring a child, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.
The trial took place before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon.
The incident occurred on the evening of May 30, 2023, when the victim was walking along Ridge Avenue in Asbury Park.
According to the investigation led by Detective Kayla Santiago of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Bureau and Detective Scott Ritter of the Asbury Park Police Department, Folk drove up to the girl, persuaded her to get into his vehicle, and then drove to Neptune Township.
After stopping the car, Folk instructed the girl to remove her clothing.
Seizing an opportunity, the victim asked to use a bathroom and then fled the vehicle, flagging down a passerby for help.
She was safely taken to the Neptune Township Police Department, where authorities were alerted. 
Folk was arrested without incident several days later was charged accordingly.