Sharpe James Robbed of Gold Chain on Newark Street

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James had a gold chain snatched from his neck by a teenager Thursday, Nj.com reported.

James, 77, was standing on the 1100 block of Bergen Street when the teen approached from behind and yanked the jewelry.

“It happened so quick – the kid came up from behind,” James’ son John Sharpe James said. “He thought someone was joking with him.”

The report says two police officials confirmed the account and one official said the former mayor was put in a choke-hold.

James, who served as the city’s mayor from 1986 to 2006, was uninjured, his son also told the website.