NEWARK — Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James was robbed today on a street in his hometown, police and family members said.

UPDATE:

Newark man arrested, charged with robbing ex-mayor Sharpe James

While standing on the 1100 block of Bergen Street, a teenager approached the 77-year-old James and snatched a gold chain from his neck, his son, John Sharpe James, said.

"It happened so quick — the kid came up from behind," the younger James said. "He thought somebody was joking with him."

The account was confirmed by two police officials, one of whom said the former mayor was put in a choke-hold. James was not injured, his son said.

James served as Newark mayor from 1986 to 2006. He also served as state senator from 1999 to 2008. In April 2008, he was convicted of five counts of fraud by a federal jury and was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

Star-Ledger staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.

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