Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, along with Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr. and Somerset County Sheriff Darrin Russo, announced the arrest of 41-year-old Juan Marales in Norwalk, Connecticut. Marales, of First Avenue, Raritan, New Jersey, was designated as the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive of the Month for October 2023.
He faced multiple charges, including 2nd-degree burglary, failure to register as a sex offender, endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
“An investigation led by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit revealed that Marales was in the Norwalk area,” stated Prosecutor McDonald. On October 5, 2023, the Fugitive Unit collaborated with the Norwalk Police Department to locate Marales at a motel in Norwalk. Law enforcement officers announced their presence and Marales opened the door, surrendering peacefully. He was subsequently taken into custody by Norwalk Police and processed at their facility.
Marales is being held on a $1 million bail and will undergo extradition court proceedings in Connecticut before being transferred to New Jersey. He is scheduled for a court appearance on October 19, 2023.
The Somerset County Fugitive Unit plans to extradite Marales back to New Jersey following the conclusion of the Connecticut court proceedings.
Prosecutor McDonald extended his gratitude to Norwalk Chief of Police James Walsh and the Norwalk Police Department for their assistance in the successful apprehension of the fugitive.