Man Wanted On ICE Warrant Nabbed In Brick Motor Vehicle Stop: Police

BRICK, NJ — A man from El Salvador wanted on an ICE warrant for homicide gang activity was captured during a motor vehicle stop in Brick on Saturday, Brick Township police said Wednesday.

Melvin Martinez-Guevara, 25, of Elizabeth, was arrested Satuday morning, Brick Sgt. Neal Pedersen said.

The arrest occurred after Patrolman Thomas Caulfield conducted a motor vehicle stop on a 2008 Ford E-250 van on Route 35 south in the area of Cuttyhunk Road, Pedersen said. Caulfield determined the front-seat passenger was not wearing his seatbelt, and the rear passenger, Martinez-Guevara, was seated on a tool box in the rear of the van, Pedersen said.

Martinez-Guevara had an active NCIC warrant from El Salvador for homicide gang activity and was arrested and taken to Brick Township police headquarters, where he was charged with riding on parts not intended for passengers and failure to wear a seatbelt, Pedersen said. Martinez-Guevara was processed and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he said.

ICE confirmed Martinez-Guevara is in the United States illegally and he has been charged by ICE with unlawful entry into the United States, Pedersen said. Martinez-Guevara is currently being housed at a federal detention center in Elizabeth, he said.

Court proceedings are currently pending for the ICE charge as well as the Interpol warrant from El Salvador, Pedersen said.

The driver of the van was issued a summons for failure to have his commercial name displayed on his vehicle and released, he said.

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