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OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Public Information Unit:
SFC Kevin Rehmann (609)882-2000  X6515
Sgt. Gerald Lewis X6516
Tpr. Stephen Jones X6513

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 22, 2004


 
 
Fugitive Gang Member Arrested in Dover Twp.
Wanted for Kidnapping/Attempted Murder of Newark Man Shot 23 Times

Dover Township, Ocean County, NJ - Through the cooperative efforts of several law enforcement agencies, Juan Urena, 20, of Newark, NJ was arrested early this morning at the Hampton Garden Apartments by members of the New Jersey State Police Street Gang Unit and T.E.A.M.S. (Tactical Emergency and Mission Specialists) Unit.

Urena, a member of the Latin Kings, was wanted for the May 23, 2002 kidnapping and attempted murder of Pedro Familia, 31 of Newark. Urena and other gang members took Familia from Newark to Harlem, New York in the backseat of his own vehicle where he was then shot 23 times and left for dead. He survived, but was partially paralyzed from the injuries he sustained.

Familia had been arrested on May 22, 2002, the day before he was attacked, by the State Police Street Gang Unit as a part of Operation Catapult, which effectively decapitated the Latin King organization in New Jersey. He was charged with fencing and receiving stolen property for his part in selling stolen cars for the gang. He was released later that day pending court hearings.

Japhet Lopez, 19 of Newark and Jose Colon, 21 of Newark have already been arrested and charged with kidnapping and armed robbery for their part in the attack on Familia. They remain in jail pending trial. The fourth person sought for these crimes is Angel Rosado, aka "Chino," 28 of Newark, NJ, who is still at large.

Information developed yesterday (January 21, 2004) in the course of an unrelated investigation by Point Pleasant Beach Police Department led to Urena being located. A detective from Seaside Heights P.D. assisting in the Point Pleasant Beach investigation uncovered documents showing Urena's previous aliases, which he recalled from bulletins disseminated by the Street Gang Unit. Working with those police departments, as well as Dover Township police and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, State Police were able to confirm Urena's address and arrested him at 3:00 a.m. this morning without incident.

A quantity of heroin and crack cocaine, packaged for distribution, was found during the arrest. In addition to the warrant related to the kidnapping of Familia, Urena was charged with the narcotics offenses and lodged in the Essex County Jail in default of $500,000 cash bail.

     

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