Newark teen's body was found on July 6, authorities said. Watch video
NEWARK -- Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a "person of interest" who was caught on surveillance video with a city teenager days before the teen's murder.
The body of 17-year-old Yusef Perez, Jr. was found in a Littleton Avenue backyard on July 6, according to authorities. He had been reported missing four days earlier, authorities said.
Authorities investigating after Perez's body was found on Littleton Avenue in Newark. (Paul Milo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)The Prosecutor's Office released surveillance video Friday showing Perez (the boy with the afro) with an unidentified male on July 2. After leaving his home in the Georgia King Village at about 9:40 p.m. that night, the video shows Perez and the man in the area of Littleton and 12th Avenues in Newark, officials said.
At about 10:05 p.m., the man, who is wearing a baseball cap and white shirt, can be seen walking back on Littleton Avenue, officials said. Authorities called the man "a person of interest believed to have information regarding (Perez's) murder."
Authorities previously offered a $5,000 reward for information that would help lead to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
