Police Seek Public's Help Locating Missing Teen

The Lawrence Township Police Department seeks the public's help in locating a 16-year-old boy from Lawrence who has been missing for more than a week. 

John Distasio was reported missing on Sunday, April 29, after his father notified police that his son had not been home since April 24.

Distasio attends a private school in Basking Ridge, but had been visiting his father in Lawrence, according to police. When the teen failed to return home on Wednesday, April 24, his father contacted his son's girlfriend in East Brunswick, but she denied that he was there. 

Officer Lauren Laux conducted an investigation and discovered that Distasio was last seen at his grandmother's in Howard Beach, N.Y. She gave him money to take the train home, but Distasio never arrived home. He was dropped off at Liberty A subway station at Liberty Blvd in Queens, NY on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. 

Distasio is described as 5'5" tall, 145 lbs, black hair, blue eyes and a pierced lower lip. 

The investigation is now being conducted by Lawrence Police Det. David Burns. The New York City Police Department's Missing Persons Unit is assisting. 

Anyone with information about Distasio's whereabouts should contact Det. Burns at (609) 896-1111.