FOUND: Missing Essex County Teen Last Seen At Train Station, May Be Headed To State Park

UPDATE: Akinwande Lawrence has been located, police said Thursday evening. Our original article follows below.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Newark police are asking for help finding a missing teen who traveled to West Orange, fled from his friend’s car and was last seen at a train station.

On Thursday, police issued a missing person alert for Akinwande Lawrence, 17, of Newark.

According to police, Lawrence left home and traveled to Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange on Monday. His family learned that he was missing from his bedroom around 10:45 p.m.

Lawrence traveled to West Orange as a passenger in a friend’s vehicle, but he got out of the car and fled without explanation around 12:45 a.m., authorities said.

The teen was last seen at Newark Penn Station. He reportedly said he wanted to go to Jenny Jump State Forest in Hope, police said.

Lawrence is African American, 5 feet 8 inches and 140 pounds. He was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.

Authorities said anyone with information can contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS(1-877-695-8477). Anonymous tips can also be made using the Police Division’s website.

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