Crime & Safety

[VIDEO] Chief Scherb: Alongi Turned Herself In, Called 911 From Rest Stop Near Turnpike Exit 1

Police are still unsure of why 16-year-old Kara Alongi left and where she has traveled over the past 48 hours, but will debrief her at some point today.

Missing Clark teen Kara Alongi turned herself in, according to new information just received by the Clark Police Department.

Clark Police Chief Alan Scherb says Alongi called 911 from a Burger King in a rest area near exit 1 on the New Jersey Turnpike and came outside to meet State Troopers when they arrived. She was in police custody around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, was taken to a South Jersey hospital for evaluation and was reunited with her parents.

Scherb says Alongi was then transported to a hospital in our area where she stayed overnight and was escorted by police back to her home around 6 a.m. this morning with her family.

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

Scherb says Alongi will be debriefed sometime today as police try to determine her path and whereabouts over the past 48 hours. The last sighting of Alongi was on an NJ Transit surveillance camera at the Rahway train station around 6:30 p.m. on Monday before she boarded a 6:47 p.m. train heading toward New York's Penn Station.

Police will also try to determine why Alongi left. 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.

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

"We have heard that, but we can't confirm that that is the reason she left," Scherb told Patch yesterday.

Clark Police released a statement around 11 a.m. this morning announcing that Alongi was found and had been brought home.

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 now more than 100,000 followers on her Twitter profile (@KaraAlongi). Clark Police later determined Alongi left voluntarily, calling a cab to drop her at the Rahway train station. 

Scherb says Alongi could possibly face charges for creating a false public alarm.

The Twitterverse has responded with vitriol now that Alongi's tweet has turned out to be a hoax, with many tweeting that she should be punished for causing such a stir.

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

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


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