Crime & Safety

Clark Teen Tweets About Intruder, Says 'Call 911' Before Running Away Voluntarily

Kara Alongi tweeted "There is somone in my hour ecall 911" before she went missing, sparking a viral search.

CLARK, NJ – Kara Alongi, a 16-year-old 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 96,000 followers on her Twitter profile (@KaraAlongi). Clark Police have now discovered Alongi left voluntarily, calling a cab to drop her at the Rahway train station. Alongi is still missing.

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police responded to her home on Hall Drive last night after Alongi's parents returned home and found her missing. Police investigated and saw no signs of a break-in or foul play. According to police, a canine unit tracked Alongi's scent from the back door of her house, through a neighbor's yard, to the sidewalk and around the corner back onto her block, where the scent goes cold.

A group of about 20 of Alongi's family, friends and neighbors stood waiting outside the home late into the evening as police were investigating. Alongi's grandmother, Toni Alongi, described her as respectful and sensitive, and said it is not like her to run away.

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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."

Anyone with any information about Alongi's whereabouts should call Clark Police at 732-388-3434.

We will continue to check in with Clark Police and will update this story as more information becomes available.

Be the first to know. Stay up to the minute on the latest Clark and Garwood news by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and subscribing to our newsletter.

READ MORE:

UPDATE, Wednesday, 11 a.m.: Runaway Clark Teen Kara Alongi Found Off Turnpike Near Exit 1, Brought Home This Morning

UPDATED: Clark PD Searching for Missing Girl Who Tweeted 'Call 911'


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.