<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3STlJd_0vjqwCY700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3STlJd_0vjqwCY700" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Dino Flammia</figcaption></figure><p>FREEHOLD BOROUGH — A man from Essex County is in custody after attempting to lure who he thought was a teenage boy online, according to officials.</p><p>During an investigation that began in August out of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, a detective was undercover on a social media app, pretending to be a 14-year-old boy.</p><p>While monitoring the app, the detective was contacted by 48-year-old Jonar Arenas, of Bloomfield, the prosecutor's office said.</p><p>After discussions on and off the app, Arenas "attempted to set up a sexual encounter" with the boy, the prosecutor's office said.</p><p>That meeting was planned to occur in Freehold Borough, where Arenas was taken into custody on Wednesday, officials said.</p><p>Arenas was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending future court proceedings.</p><p>Arenas has been charged with luring, attempted sexual assault of a minor, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.</p><p>A conviction on such charges could mean years behind bars and a Megan's Law registration.</p><p>Anyone with information about Arenas or this incident can contact MCPO Detective Anthony Lacher at 800-533-7443.</p><p>As of Thursday afternoon, the prosecutor's office did not have information about legal representation for Arenas.</p><p><a href="mailto:trenton.dme@townsquaremedia.com?subject=Feedback%20or%20correction">Report a correction</a> <i>👈 | 👉</i> <a href="https://nj1015.com/contact-nj-1015-newsroom/">Contact our newsroom</a></p><h2>New Jersey's Most Dangerous Gangs and Mobsters</h2><p>New Jersey has a reputation for its famous and infamous gangs and mobsters. Some are still striking fear into communities throughout the state.</p><h2>NJ schools with the worst attendance problems</h2><p>These 30 schools had the highest rate of chronic absenteeism in the 2022-23 school year. Data is for the New Jersey Department of Education's annual NJ School Performance Reports.</p></div></body>

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Bloomfield man arrested after NJ cop poses as 14-year-old boy online

FREEHOLD BOROUGH — A man from Essex County is in custody after attempting to lure who he thought was a teenage boy online, according to officials. During an investigation that began in August out of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, a detective was undercover on a social media app, pretending to be a 14-year-old boy.