Hunterdon County Teen Goes Missing

A widespread search is on for a 17-year-old Raritan Township youth who left on his skateboard, according to officials.

Chase Merone, a 17-year-old student at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, has not been seen since early Wednesday morning after he had an argument with his family about homework, according to the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The father, Jonathan Merone, urged his son to come home or contact him as soon as possible and said he won't face any punishment, according to nj.com. "We just want to know that he's safe," his father told nj.com Thursday afternoon. "He's not in trouble."

Chase Merone was last seen at the Wawa store on Route 31 at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday on a surveillance camera, according to his father.

Chase had left a note saying he would leave his cell phone at the Wawa, and he did leave it there, so he has not been able reach his son since he left, according to nj.com.

Raritan Township police and Mount Olive police are looking for Chase. Anyone with information can contact the Raritan Township Police Department at (908) 782-8889.

Photo courtesy of the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce

Story by Tom Davis