2021 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2021

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Attorney General’s Office and State Police Announce Arrest of 20 Fugitives during Operation in Essex County

NJSP Leads Multi-Agency Cooperative Deployment, dubbed “Operation Summer in the City,” Targeting Violent Fugitives

Newark, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit coordinated a 2-day cooperative mobile deployment dubbed “Operation Summer in the City.”  This multi-agency effort led to the arrest of 20 fugitives in Essex County, which included 7 documented street gang members. These deployments will continue throughout the summer as part of a comprehensive initiative to reduce violent crime statewide.

Detectives from the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, Crime Suppression North Unit, Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit, Trafficking North Unit, Cyber Crimes Unit, Real Time Crime Center North, and K-9 Unit along with members of the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force - Newark Division, New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Operations Group, Essex County Sheriff's Office, and the Newark Police Department Fugitive Unit targeted fugitives who were in or near Newark and wanted for violent crimes or had recidivist criminal histories. The targets for the operation were identified through a collaboration between various intelligence sections within the State Police, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Newark Police Department, and criminal analysis information provided by the New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Center North Unit.

From Tuesday, June 29, to Wednesday June 30, a total of 20 fugitives wanted by state, county, and local law enforcement agencies were apprehended in various locations throughout Essex County. The accused were wanted for various crimes including aggravated assault, armed robbery, burglary, theft, and weapons and drug offenses. All suspects were lodged at the Essex County Jail.

“Through the coordinated efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement, Operation Summer in the City is making our communities safer by taking violent criminals and repeat offenders off our streets and out of our neighborhoods,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. “As we continue this operation throughout the summer months, I applaud the outstanding work of our law enforcement statewide, who dedicate their lives to protecting our residents and making New Jersey safer for all.”

“Every trooper who enlists with the New Jersey State Police dedicates their lives to protecting the public from violent crime no matter where it may occur, and through the tremendous partnerships we have with our federal, state, and local law enforcement, troopers are making a difference in every part of the state through collaborative initiatives like ‘Operation Summer in the City,” which targeted violent and often recidivist offenders,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.  “We will continue to combat violent crime in a multitude of ways, including community outreach initiatives, education, and law enforcement operations targeting violent offenders, and I commend the outstanding work of all of the agencies involved with this successful operation.”

Operation Summer in the City is 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.  And 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 Essex County, which resulted in the arrests of 21 violent fugitives.  The first 2021 Operation Summer in the City sweep was conducted in May, where NJSP led a two-day mobile deployment initiative that led to the arrest of 22 fugitives in and around the Trenton area.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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