the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paterson NJ, the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit coordinated a two-day cooperative mobile deployment that led to the arrest of 17 fugitives in Passaic County. Of the 17 arrested, 5 were identified as street gang members. This deployment is part of a comprehensive initiative to reduce violent crime statewide.
Detectives from the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, Violent and Organized Crime Control North Bureau, K-9 North Unit, Real Time Crime Center North Unit, and Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory Unit, along with members of the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Operations Group, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the Paterson Police Department, targeted violent criminals who were located in, or near, the City of Paterson. The targets for the operation were identified through various investigative means including street-level intelligence, patrol advisories, and information provided by the Real Time Crime Center North Unit, United States Marshal Service, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Paterson Police Department.
From Thursday, March 31 to Friday April 1, a total of 17 fugitives wanted by federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies were apprehended at various locations in, and around, the City of Paterson. Those arrested were wanted for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, aggravated sexual assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, burglary, and possession with the intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances. All arrested fugitives were turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency or lodged within the Passaic County Jail.
“Collaborative efforts like this undoubtedly help make our communities safer by arresting gang members and other fugitives wanted on serious charges including murder, robbery, and assault,” said Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “This latest fugitive sweep represents a significant step in law enforcement’s commitment to reducing violence in Paterson and its surrounding areas.”
“The amount of time spent preparing for these multi-agency fugitive initiatives is the culmination of many weeks of planning, intelligence sharing, and coordination. However, the outcome is that we remove dangerous offenders and gang members from our neighborhoods.” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The New Jersey State Police remains committed to working with other law enforcement agencies across the state and we will continue our efforts to combat violent crime while making our communities safer for residents.”
The latest cooperative mobile deployment follows “Operation Summer in the City,” a coordinated law enforcement effort conducted in recent years to reduce crime in cities across New Jersey, which has resulted in numerous arrests of violent, dangerous, and recidivist offenders. In 2018, a multi-city, multi-agency sweep resulted in the arrest of 166 dangerous fugitives, including 61 documented gang members, and law enforcement also seized guns, drugs, and money. In 2019, “Operation Summer in the City” netted 75 fugitives, including 26 gang members in Camden and Atlantic City. With the COVID-19 pandemic, operations required a shift in 2020, and a fugitive sweep was conducted in Atlantic County, which resulted in the arrests of 14 fugitives. In 2021, 57 fugitives were arrested as a result of three “Operation Summer in the City” sweeps led by the NJSP in Atlantic County, Trenton and Essex County.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
