FOR RELEASE: Immediate CONTACT: Ben Feldman

DATE: 11/25/2008 PHONE: (201) 394-7728

GAMES AND GAMBLING SEND WANTED CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS

Promise of Free Prizes Helps Lure Dozens of Wanted North Jersey Fugitives into the Hands of Authorities

HACKENSACK - Today Bergen County Sheriff Leo P. McGuire announced the arrest of 75 fugitives for crimes ranging from sexual assault, weapons possession, thefts, burglary, illegal drugs, eluding police, fraud, violation of parole and probation and failure to pay child support. These individuals were brought to justice as a result of Operation 'Bait and Hook'. Operation Bait and Hook was led by the Fugitive Squad of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office in cooperation with the New Jersey State Police, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Bergen County Probation Department, Fort Lee Police Department, Paramus Police Department and the East Rutherford Police Department. This multi-jurisdictional undertaking is the first its kind to be executed in Bergen County.

"Criminals will hide wherever they can to keep themselves out of jail and avoid punishment for the crimes they have committed," said McGuire. "Operation Bait and Hook took many of the high-tech tools at our disposal and combined them with the sense of co-operation which pervades the law enforcement community. This combination proved inescapable for 75 wanted fugitives."

Members of the BCSO's Fugitive Squad designed and mailed invitations to numerous persons with active warrants for their arrests. These individuals were invited to attend a seminar at the New York Giants Stadium Club located at Giant's Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Wednesday November 5 2008 at 10:30 a.m. The advertisement stated persons attending would be eligible to win a free Wii video game console, an overnight stay in Atlantic City and a Toyota Prius. Additionally, the invitation stated the recipients would meet the players after hearing a short presentation on electric and propane fueled vehicles.

Upon arrival at the stadium club, attendees were checked in and escorted to a room by undercover detectives posing as the event's security personnel. Attendees hoping to leave with arms full of prizes were instead lead away with their hands in cuffs after being greeted by several Fugitive Squad detectives.

Additionally, prior to mailing the invitations, an undercover website, (www.SLPMINC.com), was established as well as a toll free number for targets to RSVP or obtain further information about the seminar. Upon logging onto the website or calling the toll free number, detectives were able to track the location of subjects.

The operation lasted a total of two and a half weeks with a team of nearly 70 officers executing arrest warrants each day following up on the leads and data gained as a result of the operation.

"Our mission to put criminals behind bars and keep our communities safe will never change, said the Sheriff. But Operation Bait and Hook is a clear reminder to everyone that our tactics will continue to evolve. These 75 apprehensions are the product of modern and efficient police work. I would like to commend each of the 70 officers, both BCSO personnel and those from other participating agencies, for their diligence and their professionalism."

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