Amber Alert issued for Penn Hills teen

Police were searching for a 16-year-old girl from Penn Hills who was kidnapped Wednesday afternoon, apparently by her former boyfriend.

Pennsylvania State Police issued an Amber Alert for Marjani Aquil, who was last reported seen about 3:15 p.m. on Glenbrook Drive in Penn Hills. Penn Hills police Chief Howard Burton said a man identified as Jermaine Laquay Rodgers, 19, forced his way into her home and dragged her out. He is believed to be driving an older red sedan, the alert said.

Marjani is black, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds. She has long, black hair with blond highlights and was wearing a gray longsleeve shirt, light-blue denim jeans and tan boots, the alert said. Mr. Rodgers is black, 5 foot 8 and weighs about 160 pounds.

In January 2018, Penn Hills police issued a warrant for Mr. Rodgers’ arrest, accusing him of holding a minor against her will for four days in Wilkinsburg. Chief Burton said the girl was Marjani. He was charged with kidnapping, terroristic threats, simple assault, stalking and other offenses.

In December, all the charges were dropped except for the counts of terroristic threats and simple assault. He pleaded guilty to those crimes and was sentenced to probation, according to court records.

Anyone with information should call 911 or 412473-3705.