“While the Clark Police Department continues its investigation into the apparent disappearance of a 16-year-old resident, there have been a number of falsehoods and inaccuracies reported by the news media that have hampered efforts by law enforcement.
Here are the facts of the case:
Around 6:20 p.m. last night the teenager in question, Kara Alongi, posted a message to her Twitter account that alluded to an intruder in her house. The teenager was home alone at the time. She did not call police for help, but her parent’s called the authorities about an hour later when they returned home and discovered she was not there.
Police responded immediately. K-9 units tracked Kara’s scent from the back door of the house, through a neighbor’s yard and then to the sidewalk and around the corner back onto her block where the scent goes cold.
The investigation quickly revealed a number of inconsistencies in the teen’s statement. Specifically it was discovered that a person called a local taxi company asking for a car at Alongi’s address around the same time the Twitter message was posted. Later, the driver positively identified Alongi as the fare he picked up and said he drove her to the Rahway Train Station, dropping her off a few minutes later.
There has been no activation of the Amber Alert system. This is being treated as a missing person’s case and not necessarily a criminal investigation.
Kara might feel that she will be in trouble if she comes home after this scare and causing a panic. At this point all everyone cares about is seeing her safe and at her house where she belongs.
We urge anyone who might know where Kara is to contact the Clark Police Department or send an anonymous tip to Union County Crime Stoppers at 908-654-TIPS, www.uctip.org or Text UCTIP plus a message to 274637.
At this point additional information will only be released via email or the Clark Police Department Website at www.ourclark.com