Man tried to lure girl into Jeep in Merrick, police say

Police are looking for a man in a Jeep who allegedly tried to lure a 14-year-old girl into the vehicle Wednesday evening in Merrick - an attempt averted when she pulled out a phone and he drove off.

Nassau County police said the incident took place on Doris Place near Gormley Avenue at 6:05 p.m. Police said that the late-model Jeep with gold and blue New York plates pulled alongside the girl, who was walking home from school, and the driver asked if she was lost and told her to get in.

The girl pulled out her cell phone instead, police said.

"The subject yelled an expletive and drove away," police said. He was last seen headed west on Gormley.

Police described the driver as being in his late 20s, clean-shaven, balding and wearing a blue T-shirt. As per policy, Newsday does not cite race when only general descriptions of a suspect are available.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.

All calls will remain confidential, police said.