By: Richard L. Smith
The U.S. Marshals Service and Ocean County Sheriff's Office have concluded an enforcement initiative focusing on fugitive apprehensions throughout Ocean County.
The federal law enforcement agency said the enforcement initiative, dubbed "Operation Ocean Surge," resulted in the arrest of more than 27 fugitives.
"Once again, Deputy U.S. Marshals from the District of New Jersey, the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, our state, county, local, and federal partners joined forces to locate and capture a myriad of individuals with outstanding warrants in Ocean County.
As always, our goal is to preserve and maintain the safety of our communities throughout the state of New Jersey," said U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr.
Officials say Operation Ocean Surge was a 4-day operation focusing on various cities within Ocean County that had individuals with outstanding warrants.
During Operation Ocean Surge, the District of New Jersey and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force used its multi-jurisdictional investigative authority and fugitive task force network to arrest 11 known gang members, and others wanted on charges, including 1 for homicide.
According to U.S Marshal officials, The District of New Jersey and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force have conducted several thriving area-specific sweep initiatives throughout the state, resulting in the location and arrest of hundreds of wanted fugitives throughout the state.
"Many thanks to Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, Chief Thomas Boyd and the Seaside Heights Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey State Police, and the entirety of our New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force law enforcement counterparts throughout the state of New Jersey for their continued support of these operational endeavors," said Mattos.
The concept behind interagency law enforcement operations such as Operation Ocean Surge evolved largely from regional and district task forces.
Since the 1980s, the Marshals Service has combined its resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives. Operation Ocean Surge continued this tradition.