Last of Original Eastern Panhandle’s Most Wanted Fugitives Arrested

Martinsburg, WV - In September of 2002 Daniel Gonzalez, 35, formerly of Martinsburg is suspected of committing an armed robbery of the Applebee’s restaurant on Fox Croft Avenue in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The Martinsburg Police Department responded to the call and quickly and efficiently located and arrested Daniel Gonzalez. During the arrest the firearm used and items from the robbery where recovered. Daniel Gonzalez was able to post bond and was released. Daniel Gonzalez failed to show up for his next appointed court hearing and a warrant was issued from circuit court March 3, 2003 for Gonzalez’s arrest.

In September of 2006 Daniel Gonzalez was released as one of ten (10) fugitives on the Eastern Panhandle’s Most Wanted website; a list created by the local U.S. Marshal’s office and their area state and local counterparts. Since then nine of the original fugitives had been tracked down and arrested. The case for Daniel Gonzalez went cold but officers kept checking for new leads.

In 2015 the U.S. Marshals Service received information, as a tip from the website, Daniel Gonzalez may have fled to New Jersey. As the case developed a lead was sent to the Marshals Service New York and New Jersey Fugitive Task Force. Task force officers in New Jersey were able to locate and arrest Daniel Gonzalez on Georgia King Village, Newark, New Jersey without incident. Gonzalez was charged in New Jersey as a fugitive from Justice and awaits extradition back to West Virginia to answer to his charges. Gonzales is currently housed at the Essex County Jail, New Jersey.

The primary mission of the U.S. Marshals led task forces is to locate and capture fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug crimes, sex offenders and other violent felony offenses.