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The young runaway hatched the plan with 19-year-old Zakaria Nuhu, a Ghana national who was out on bail following a scuffle with city police last fall, Detective Capt. Thomas Salcedo told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
Needing money to pay court fines, Nuhu called the girl’s mother, demanding $2,000 for her release, Salcedo said.
The girl’s sister, who listened in on the call, recognized Nuhu’s voice and called police, the captain said.
At 19, Nuhu has already had a few run-ins with the law, records show: He was free on $20,000 bail after violating probation with a robbery arrest when he charged last September with assaulting police, resisting arrest and hindering apprehension.
Just before 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Officer Manuel Tavera spotted some of Nuhu’s friends in Carver Park.
He began talking with them, hoping to find him when Nuhu came walking up, Salcedo said.
Nuhu remained held on $10,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail, charged with extortion, causing a false public alarm and employing a juvenile in a crime.
Police also issued juvenile complaints to the girl.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy HACKENSACK PD
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