Alongi Bought Train Ticket to NYC, Still Missing Tuesday
Some have suggested Alongi left because she was blamed for police breaking up an underage drinking party in the days preceding her disappearance.
UPDATE, Dec. 28, 2012: Kara Alongi Investigation Ongoing, State Police Release Her 911 Call - In her 911 call from a rest stop on the Turnpike, Alongi maintains she had been abducted, stating a black man forced her from her home. Regardless of Alongi's claims, Clark Police Chief Alan Scherb says the department stands by its assertion that Alongi was not abducted. Scherb says the investigation remains ongoing and could not reveal why the investigation has taken so long.
UPDATE, Wednesday, 11 a.m.: Runaway Clark Teen Kara Alongi Found Off Turnpike Near Exit 1, Brought Home This Morning
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The Clark Police Department can now confirm that the ticket missing teen Kara Alongi bought from Rahway train station was to New York Penn Station.
Alongi's family says it was the 6:47 p.m. northbound train that Kara boarded and last night they provided Patch with a photo obtained from security cameras at the train station. Alongi's grandfather, Paul Alongi Sr., canvassed Penn Station on Sunday night handing out flyers with his granddaughter's photo.
Alongi Sr. says his granddaughter was not acting unusual preceding her disappearance and that she was in a good mood, especially at a family event earlier in the week.
Several people have mentioned to Patch that Alongi was blamed for police breaking up an underage drinking party in the days preceding her disappearance and was on the outs with friends.
"We have heard that, but we can't confirm that that is the reason she left," said Scherb. "The Clark Police Department is investigating all leads in an effort to locate her and return her home. We are talking to the conductors who saw her on the train and we continue to work with New Jersey Transit to review video available at the train stations."
Scherb also told Patch that the department is trying to investigate Alongi's phone and online accounts, but all are password protected. (Scherb also reported that Alongi's phone was intact and not "smashed," as many commenters have suggested.)
Scherb said that police are not sure what Alongi took with her in the large backpack and tote she is seen carrying in the train station photo, but that it was likely clothing.
We asked Scherb if Alongi could have boarded a plane. "Anything is possible, and we would go through the Port Authority to determine that," said Scherb,"but based on how much money we believe she had on her, we don't think she bought a plane ticket."
"We want her to know it's okay to come home," Alongi Sr. told Patch yesterday in a video interview. "We know that she might be embarassed or even fearful with all the words that have been out there, but we know she's got a great life ahead of her. She has her family supporting her, her friends supporting her, and we love her. We just want her to know it's okay. It's okay. Come on home. We just want you, honey."
Alongi is 5'3'', with blonde hair and hazel eyes and weighs approximately 105 lbs. Alongi was last seen at the Rahway train station around 6:30 p.m. carrying a blue Eastpack backpack and brown leather tote bag, wearing blue jeggings, tan suede moccasins and possibly wearing a navy blue "Clark Cougar's" t-shirt with the number 2 and the name "Alongi" written on the back or a blue "Colonia Patriots" t-shirt with the letter "C" on the back. See the train station photo of Alongi in our gallery, right).
Alongi, an Arthur L. Johnson junior, tweeted "There is somone in my hour ecall 911" before vanishing Sunday evening and becoming a social media sensation.
The story of Alongi's disappearance went viral on Twitter, with #helpfindkara trending at number three worldwide and more than 100,000 followers on her Twitter profile (@KaraAlongi). Her tweet was retweeted more than 32,000 times and Clark Police received more than 6,000 calls about her. Clark Police later determined Alongi left voluntarily, calling a cab to drop her at the Rahway train station.
The Twitterverse has responded with vitriol now that Alongi's tweet is suspected to be a hoax, with many tweeting that she should be punished for causing such a stir.
Clark Police, of course, are much more concerned with getting Alongi home.
"Kara might feel that she will be in trouble if she comes home after this scare and causing a panic," said Clark Police Chief Alan Scherb in a news release. "At this point, all everyone cares about is seeing her safe and at her house where she belongs."
Police urge anyone who might know where Kara is to contact the Clark Police Department at 732-388-3434 or send an anonymous tip to Union County Crime Stoppers at 908-654-TIPS uctip.org or text UCTIP plus a message to 274637.
We will continue to check in with Clark Police and will update this story as more information becomes available.
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READ MORE:
UPDATE, Wednesday, 11 a.m.: Runaway Clark Teen Kara Alongi Found Off Turnpike Near Exit 1, Brought Home This Morning
[VIDEO] Alongi's Grandfather: 'Come On Home, We Just Want You Honey'
Clark PD: Cab Driver Identified Alongi, Said He Dropped Her at Rahway Train Station
Clark Teen Tweets About Intruder, Says 'Call 911' Before Running Away Voluntarily
UPDATED: Clark Police Confident Alongi Left Voluntarily, Was Not Abducted
UPDATED: Clark PD Searching for Missing Girl Who Tweeted 'Call 911'
UPDATE, Dec. 28, 2012: Kara Alongi Investigation Ongoing, State Police Release Her 911 Call - In her 911 call from a rest stop on the Turnpike, Alongi maintains she had been abducted, stating a black man forced her from her home. Regardless of Alongi's claims, Clark Police Chief Alan Scherb says the department stands by its assertion that Alongi was not abducted. Scherb says the investigation remains ongoing and could not reveal why the investigation has taken so long.
Melissa Servedio
3:05 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
praying for Kara's safe return, and for her family and friends.. and that whatever is going on in her life she is able to work through. come home to your family, Kara.
clyde donovan
3:06 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The search of Kara Alongi's name is no longer trending on Yahoo.com. Americans move on and forget very quickly.
It's hard to believe the police and her family, as of 2:30 p.m. 10/02/12, don't know exactly where she is. The police must have interviewed her friends and relatives and must have gotten some information. One of Kara's close girlfriends know the entire deal.
Kara had to make calls prior in the days prior to leaving that would give clues to her whereabouts. I would think the police have reviewed those phone records.
I suspect she's got an adult boyfriend who convinced her to come to his place. If they catch this guy, I hope he goes to a perv prison for a long, long time.
TJ
3:27 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Clyde, stop speculating, you sound like an idiot.
TJ
3:41 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Keep speculating, it makes you sound real bright.
g rod
4:32 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
shes a poor girl out in the cold world
Ryan Mc Cracken
8:23 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
the guy would be arrested she will be and she is legal to do whatever she wants
Melissa
4:35 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I agree with Clyde, one of her friends has got to know. She probably went to see some guy. But what was up with that tweet? Does she want us to think she was kidnapped or killed? Does she plan on living in NY with someone? You can't possibly think she just decided it'd be cool to go to NYC and tweet that someone should call 911 cause a stranger is in her house.
clyde donovan
9:42 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I think the kidnapping stuff was intended to throw everyone off her trail so she could get to where she wanted to go. Even going to Penn Station might be a diversion. She could have gone to Penn and then bought a ticket for a train headed down to the Jersey Shore.
She needs to go home now and cut the crap. I doubt she'll be prosecuted. She might have to do some mandatory psychological counseling.
CAMERON
5:04 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I REALLY HOPE SHE COMES HOME SAFE.
Mary Elizabeth Franks
6:36 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Excellent work as always by the Clark Police Dpt. Now the question is, did she runaway on her own, or did some nitwit on the internet lure her to go, possibly with some sort of threats? If she went to a shelter in Nyc, she will be fine. If she went to some nitwits place she met on the net, than that is a major problem.
Jill
7:27 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
When does that ever happen? Why would she got meet up with a guy? idiots
Kristine J
8:01 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I was told that she turned herself in and is on her way home.
TJ
8:15 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I hope that's true
Ryan Mc Cracken
8:21 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
tough call if she does or not she is in a whole lot of trouble
Ryan Mc Cracken
8:31 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
She is attention seeker. It always comes right behind the fact when people hide something to themselves and don't want other people to know. Her wholw story spells it out in plain english. Everyone who read her tweets knows she had negative comments posted. Ever think she was trying to admit something but didn't know how? She went to far with her escapade....commited a federal offense...not know that she did. Besides punishing herself she did it to he family and friends. She will be punished properly upon return or if found, spotted or noticed elsewhere. She can't travel far, the world knows what she looks like.
liviee
10:04 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I second ryan
ClarkWomen
8:55 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
It is sad to think that bullying may have been a part of her leaving. The kids in Clark are taught to such a great extent what the affects of bullying can have on a person. When children drinking underage blame another child for them getting caught it is sad. I am sure there are other factors that come into play with her disappearance but I hate to think this may be what pushed her over the edge. I hope she comes home to her family safe and sound. I hope that she can work out her problems.
Underage drinking is a huge problem in Clark. So many of these children attend parties where drinking is occurring. Parties where the parents are home. They obtain fake ids via the internet. Buy alcohol locally and even drink in local bars/restaurants.
I have to feel like we are doing something wrong at home if our children feel so privileged that they can bullying their peers and drink at any age.
A
9:39 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
ClarkWomen, has got to be the best post I have seen. I totally understand that teenagers don't always make the right choices, thats why they have parents. At 16 your old enough to know between right and wrong, also I believe by 16 you know that all actions come with consquences. All these things are typically learned at home. What I don't understand or relate to is why parents aren't communicating with their kids. I see a lot of posts blasting this girl for her actions, which I can't argue with, but also I believe her parents need to be accountable for the actions of their child. Growing up I knew that I could talk to one or both of my parents about anything, and if I couldn't, I knew that I could find somebody that I could talk to. Today there are far more resources avalible to kids then there was when I grew up. So I don't believe she has excuse for her behavior, and her parents sure don't have one either.
becks
9:56 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
If you don't know the parents you should not make accusations. They could be the best parents in the world and the child can still do things that are wrong. I really think the focus here should not be finger pointing but getting the girl home.
faith
10:03 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
thank u becks. i agree. can we ALL stop. PRAY for this girls safety. JUST STOP>
Monk
11:00 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Let's be honest. Many people today may have the intellectual capacity and maturity to know right from wrong. But do they have the moral capacity and maturity and fortitude? Face it. US culture is not what it was only a generation ago. The "values" promoted by our wonderful government and entertainment industries are setting everyone up for difficult lives where you won't be rewarded for being a hard working, upright person. Instead, you will be mocked for not getting in on the fun and freebies while they last. Nowadays, only people with heroic moral character are able to keep swimming against the tide. Remember Hillary's comment and defense of the "It takes a village to raise a child" line? That's all well and good if the village isn't rife with corrupt morals. What chances do young people have when they are pressured to live recklessly from an early age? Sigh.
Matt Rogers
6:19 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
If she is willing enough to disappear like this and not contact anyone, what makes you think she is just hanging out in nyc? The first thing i thought is that this girl is going to hurt herself, teen suicide rates are through the roof. And yet all you guys can talk about is how strictly she should be punished or her morals. I think you peoples morals should be in question. Who are we to judge this young ass girl? All you should be worried about is if the girl is SAFE or not