Suspect taken into custody as police investigate attempted abduction
Attempt made at Shopper's World, police say
A Rhode Island man was in court Tuesday after he allegedly tried to lure a 14-year-old girl into his car in Framingham.
Robert Toney, 26, of Providence, Rhode Island, was arraigned Tuesday in Framingham District Court on charges of enticing a child under the age of 16. Toney was held without bail and will have a dangerous hearing on Friday.
Prosecutors said Toney tried to solicit a 14-year-old girl for sex in the TJ Maxx parking lot of Shopper's World in Framingham.
When the girl got upset, he allegedly grabbed her arm but she was able to break free, prosecutors said. That's when she called police with the description of the alleged attacker, prosecutors said.
Toney was pulled over in Sherborn driving a white Chevy Spark with Texas plates and arrested.
In court Toney claimed he was in Framingham to buy a car and simply approached the girl because she seemed upset. He denied any allegations that he offered money for sex or tried to grab the girl.
Newton police are investigating two incidents they believe are related to Monday's incident.