Luring Suspect Released on Drug Charge, Investigation On-Going

The Plainfield man arrested by police on Friday as the suspect in the child luring incident near Wilson School has been released on a drug charge and remains the top suspect in the luring case.

Police have said that Eric Degner, 32, of Plainfield was released with a summons for unlawful possession of a prescription drug. Degner was being held on that charge after his arrest on Friday, after being found in the same tan Chevy Suburban with New York State plates that was said to be the vehicle driven by the man who attempted to lure three Wilson fifth-graders to the car on Thursday morning. Degner had parked the car at the same intersection, Kimball and Harrison, where the children had been lured.

Police Chief John Parizeau said that Degner is "definitely the individual who was at Wilson School" last Thursday. He said the investigation into the case remains on-going. He declined to comment on how Degner was identified as the person who was at Wilson on Thursday.

Parizeau said that once all statements have been completed, the police will be talking with the Union County prosecutor's office regarding charges being filed in the case.