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Man Arrested In Mugging Of Former Newark Mayor

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The former mayor of New Jersey's largest city doesn't want to press charges against a man charged with robbing him.

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James says the suspect needs guidance and help, not incarceration.

Twenty-year-old Alhafeez Williams is accused of putting the 77-year-old James in a chokehold and stealing his gold necklace in Newark on Thursday. James wasn't injured.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman says Williams was captured in New York City early Friday and turned over to Newark police.

The man's girlfriend had James' necklace.

Williams is being held on $50,000 bail.

James ran Newark for more than 20 years before he was convicted on federal corruption charges.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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