NEWARK, NJ  — Police have made an arrest in the mugging of the former mayor of New Jersey’s largest city.

Alhafeez Williams has been charged with robbery, police said.

Williams, 20, has several prior arrests and felony convictions, police said.

Police said James was approached from behind by Williams, who put him in a choke hold and grabbed a gold chain from around his neck before taking off. James was not injured in the attack.

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman says the suspect approached police in New York City early Friday and asked to ride the PATH commuter train for free to meet his parole officer.

Coleman says police learned the man was wanted and turned him over to Newark police.

Coleman says the suspect’s girlfriend had James’ necklace.

James was mayor from the mid-1980s until 2006. He later was convicted in a federal corruption trial and sentenced to more than two years in prison.