David Hohsfield - Repeat Sex Offender

parents today must be aware of such dangers

According to the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry, Hohsfield "approaches victims in public places, such as on the street, at bus stops, at the library, near schools or at convenience stores, often while operating various types of vehicles. He tries to lure them into his vehicle or get them to accept a date with the promise of a modeling job."

A registered sex offender from Manchester has been arrested on charges of child luring, after he allegedly attempted to coax a 15-year-old girl into his vehicle last week, police reported Thursday.

David Hohsfield, 51, of Hudson Parkway was at the Wawa convenience store in the Pleasant Plains section about 9 p.m. Jan. 2, when he allegedly tried to lure the teenager from Lakewood into his Buick Century, according to the Toms River Police Department.

The girl was outside the store when Hohsfield approached her, according to Toms River Police Chief Michael G. Mastronardy. Her mother was in the parking lot, in her own vehicle waiting for her daughter, when the incident occurred, Mastronardy said. The girl told her mother about Hohsfield's comments, which led to the police investigation, according to Mastronardy. He would not elaborate on the comments, saying they are part of the investigation.

Mastronardy said parents today must be aware of such dangers, and he praised the girl's mother for contacting police.

"The parent was right there," he said. "She asked what was said, and then contacted the police. She was right there."

Police arrested Hohsfield on Wednesday at the Manchester Police Department. They were able to track down Hohsfield by his license plate number and other identifiers, Mastronardy said.

Toms River Police Capt. Louis Kohler is overseeing the investigation. He is being assisted by Detective Glen Lucas and Officer William Hutton of the Toms River Police Department, as well as the Manchester Township Police Department, Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Peter Ryan and Investigator Jay Steele of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Hohsfield was taken into custody by the Manchester Township Police Department at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, and is now free on $75,000 bail, set by Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels, police reported.

According to the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry, Hohsfield "approaches victims in public places, such as on the street, at bus stops, at the library, near schools or at convenience stores, often while operating various types of vehicles. He tries to lure them into his vehicle or get them to accept a date with the promise of a modeling job."

Hohsfield previously served a prison term for child endangerment, violating the community supervision regulations of Megan's Law and stalking, according to the state Department of Corrections Web site. He was in East Jersey State Prison from June 21, 2002, to December 9, 2004, according to the Web site.