2023 News Release

New Jersey State Police Targets Fugitives Throughout New Jersey to Reduce Gun Violence

Newark, N.J. - On Thursday, October 26, 2023, the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, along with the assistance of the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression North Unit, the Real Time Crime Center North Unit, the United States Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Newark Police Department, and the New Jersey Department of Corrections - Special Operations Group, conducted a warrant operation in Newark, NJ. This operation, dubbed “NJ SAFE” (NJ Strategic Apprehension Fugitive Enforcement) targeted fugitives in Newark and the surrounding areas.

Fugitives wanted by state, county and local law enforcement agencies were targeted during this operation. The primary goal of this operation was gun violence reduction, achieved through the arrests and debriefings of the fugitives. During this detail, five fugitives were arrested and lodged in various county correctional facilities.

The New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit has been conducting NJ SAFE operations throughout the State of New Jersey during the entire 2023 calendar year. NJ SAFE operations aim to improve public safety by directly addressing the issue of gun violence in the State of New Jersey through targeted efforts to apprehend individuals with violent criminal histories, histories of being involved in shooting environments and outstanding warrants. Targets for these operations are identified through collaborative efforts between the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit, New Jersey State Police Real Time Crime Centers, federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners. NJ SAFE operations are one of many mechanisms that the New Jersey State Police is utilizing to drive down overall gun violence statewide.

To date, the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit has conducted eleven NJ SAFE details in 2023. These details have resulted in the arrests of 90 fugitives statewide. Together these fugitives have had 636 prior arrests, 98 prior gun arrests, 163 felony convictions and have been involved in 44 prior shooting incidents within the state.

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

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