February 1, 2010 - NEWARK, NJ—Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Cruise announced today the capture of Angel A. Rodriguez, age 22, of Vineland, New Jersey. Chavez was wanted out of Cumberland County, New Jersey, based on a June 2009 indictment for the state felony charge of eluding law enforcement. Rodriguez was captured at 8:00 last night without incident by FBI agents in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico.
According to the criminal complaint, Rodriguez had originally been arrested by police on January 22, 2009 for assault on a police officer by auto. Two days later, Rodriguez was indicted by the Superior Court of New Jersey in the County of Cumberland for eluding law enforcement, a felony offense in this state. The defendant failed to appear for a pretrial conference on December 14, 2009 and a bench warrant was issued one week later.
On January 29, 2010, members of the Little Egg Police Department, who were working on an unrelated matter, enlisted the help of the Newark division of the FBI. Together, they confirmed that Rodriguez was in Puerto Rico and staying in an abandoned home that belonged to his father, whose primary residence is in New Jersey.
FBI agents in San Juan allegedly observed Rodriguez leaving the house around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and they followed him. Rodriguez, apparently unaware he was being followed, began to hitchhike. The agents pulled up and offered Rodriguez a ride. When he walked up to their vehicle to take advantage of his good fortune, the agents arrested him without incident.
“The reality is that we were fortunate to develop good information that led us right to the fugitive,” said Cruise. Cooperation plus a good lead equals law enforcement success. Together, we solved investigations in two local jurisdictions and the FBI was happy to be a part of it.”
“Our investigation was expedited by the seamless cooperation of local, county, and federal law enforcement,” said Lt. Troy Bezek, of the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department.
Jennifer Webb-McRae, Cumberland County Prosecutor, added “We commend the FBI, the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for their fine work in apprehending this fugitive.”
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Any further inquiries about this matter should be referred to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.
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