[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.
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.
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Original Story
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.
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.
"We have heard that, but we can't confirm that that is the reason she left," Scherb told Patch yesterday.
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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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.
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'
[VIDEO] Mayor Bonaccorso: 'Come Home, Kara. It's Fine'
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'
David
5:22 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I am very happy to hear that she is home safe. I seriously doubt that she'll be charged with any offenses.
Ally
6:06 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Someone must have dropped her off there!
Of course all that matters now is that's she back home safe and sound. Glad she was smart enough to turn herself in, this has gone on long enough.
mememe
6:19 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I learned one thing with this. It reminded me to talk with my kids about a subject that we never think it`s going to happen to our kids. She is a great kid and she let the best of her slip away. I`m so glad she is back home. Now if you think your kids are little angels then think again...kids are kids, and we were kids, too, remember those days???
Carol P.
6:59 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Carol
I prayed that she would be found safe and sound. Thank God she is back home with her family unharmed - I can only imagine what the parents went through these last few days....
Kat
7:29 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Very glad she is home safe and sound. How sad she feels this bad over breaking up a drinking party. She just may have saved one of her peers lives. Good for you Kara!!!
john
8:13 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Great news, thank God she hasn't been harmed. A tremendous relief for her parents and grandparents. What she needs is a good dose of love. And it's great that so many people cared about her.
Momof3teens
10:44 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Glad Kara is home safe and sound!!
Ryan Mc Cracken
7:03 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Union County prosecutors office started the case good!
john
6:18 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Ryan, Why do you so wish this young teen to be harshly punished? Did you miss your calling? Maybe you can still have a career as a hardened prison warden.
TJ
6:18 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Ryan, you seem a bit obsessed with this incident.
Jen C
10:14 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
are they ever gonna update us as to where she went and why ? how is she doing now ? is she getting charged with anything ?
clyde donovan
10:14 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
If the police have questioned Kara and investigated the details, it would be good for the public to know the full story - the truth. It could serve as a useful learning tool for all the people out there with kids.
I'd like to know simply beause, as it stands now, it's like reading a mystery story with the last two chapters ripped out of the book.
john
6:02 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Absolutely, Jen and Cylde! We cared. We worried. Then stop -- nothing more to be known.