State Police Arrest Four During Parkway Traffic Jam In Fugitive Search

LACEY TOWNSHIP — Former escaped fugitive Arthur Buckel wasn't the only one taken into custody on the Garden State Parkway late Monday morning, New Jersey State Police said.

The parkway was jammed with vehicles near exit 77 northbound after police located Buckel. One trooper who was directing traffic around police vehicles smelled marijuana wafting from a Dodge Dart, police said.

The trooper stopped the Dodge and found roughly 10 grams of marijuana, ecstasy pills and drug paraphernalia in the Dodge, according to the State Police report.

Nicholas Netta, 25, North Brunswick, Adam Lutchman, 26, Somerset, Kevin Behan, 23, and Alexander Swartz, 26, both of Milltown, were each charged with drug possession and paraphernalia, State Police said.

Netta was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on an outstanding warrant, Lt. Brian Polite said today.

Buckel was in the Lacey Township area when he was apprehended. Lacey Police Chief David A. Paprota has said. Detective Keith Pearce was assigned to a fixed surveillance position at the Forked River Rest Area with K-9 DOC Officer Daniel Rotundo when a passing motorist reported possibly seeing someone in the woods along the northbound lane near milemarker 76.5. the chief said.

Pierce went to the location and held Buckel at gunpoint until he was taken into custody by the DOC. He was the transferred to the New Jersey State Prison, authorities said.