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…