NEWARK, NJ – In a sweeping crackdown that swept through New Jersey’s most violent neighborhoods, the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 264 fugitives during a month-long operation targeting gang members, sex offenders, and homicide suspects. Dubbed Operation Apex Hammer, the initiative launched in early June and zeroed in on Camden, Newark, and surrounding areas, resulting in one of the largest fugitive roundups in the region this year.
The operation focused on high-threat individuals wanted for violent crimes including homicide, armed robbery, weapons trafficking, sexual assault, and the exploitation of children. More than 95 known gang members and 17 murder suspects were taken into custody as part of the operation, with 14 illegal firearms seized and two fugitives captured overseas.
Among those apprehended were Lorenzo Benitez, 54, wanted in Keansburg for multiple counts of sexual assault, arrested in Plainfield on June 4, and Stephen Bullock, 32, captured in Hi-Nella on June 13 for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 76-year-old woman. Another high-profile arrest included Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, wanted for attempted murder after allegedly running over a South Brunswick police officer in May, caught June 18 in North Arlington.
Shawn Davis, 38, a suspect in a Trenton homicide, was tracked down in Brooklyn, while Francisco Ruiz, 67, accused of child endangerment, terroristic threats, and criminal restraint, was arrested in Bayonne.
“This operation reflects our unwavering commitment to protect communities,” said U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr. of the District of New Jersey. “We will never stop pursuing those who threaten public safety.”
Law enforcement officials reported that the 264 fugitives combined for over 2,600 prior arrests, underscoring the repeat and serious nature of the offenses. In total, 31 suspects were caught in other states, and two were located internationally.
The U.S. Marshals coordinated with more than 50 federal, state, and local agencies to execute the operation, relying on intelligence-based targeting and interagency cooperation. The initiative marked a significant escalation in efforts to suppress violent crime throughout the state.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba praised the coordination behind the mission, calling it “proof of what we can accomplish when we come together to drive violent crime out of our communities.”
The task force said more operations of similar scale are likely in the future, as federal authorities intensify their efforts to take repeat violent offenders off the streets.
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Key Points
- U.S. Marshals-led Operation Apex Hammer resulted in 264 arrests of violent fugitives across New Jersey
- Notable arrests included murder suspects, gang members, and child sex offenders, with 14 firearms seized
- The month-long sweep involved over 50 law enforcement agencies, including local, state, and federal partners
A brutal blitz on violent crime ends with hundreds of fugitives in cuffs.
