'Outrageous' To Release Suspect In Injured NJ Cop Case, Van Drew Says

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Rep. Jeff Van Drew and Middle Township Mayor Christopher M. Leusner are calling for continued detention and an eventual transfer to federal immigration custody after a judge ordered the pretrial release of the man charged in a crash that seriously injured Middle Township Police Officer Austin Kapurelos.

According to Van Drew's statement, that release order has since been stayed, keeping Lucio Lopez-Perez in county custody until his next court date in December.

Subscribe

Van Drew said the case involves an undocumented immigrant charged with drunk driving and seriously injuring the officer.

READ MORE: NJ Cop Badly Injured In Drunken Car Crash, Police Say

In his statement, Van Drew said Lopez-Perez "admitted to drinking throughout the day, got behind the wheel of a car, and struck a police officer so hard that he was thrown 30 feet."

Van Drew also said Kapurelos suffered "a compound fracture, a bruised lung, and multiple broken bones."

"This is absolutely outrageous," said Van Drew. "This man, who is in this country illegally, admitted to drinking throughout the day, got behind the wheel of a car, and struck a police officer so hard that he was thrown 30 feet. Austin suffered a compound fracture, a bruised lung, and multiple broken bones. He is lucky to be alive. And somehow, a judge determined that the man charged with doing this could be released back onto our streets. They are calling him low risk when his criminal history outside New Jersey has not even been fully vetted. Give me a break."

Van Drew said Lopez-Perez has an active ICE detainer and said he wants local authorities to cooperate with federal immigration officials.

"I am glad the release order has been stayed, but that is not enough. I do not want this individual back on our streets. Period. He has an active ICE detainer, and I am demanding that local authorities fully cooperate with ICE to ensure he is transferred into federal custody when his state detention ends," Van Drew said.

Leusner said he was "deeply disturbed" by the court's decision and said he was grateful the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office acted quickly to appeal and that a stay was granted. The mayor said he believes the defendant should remain detained, face the charges in New Jersey, and then be turned over to ICE for deportation proceedings.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with Austin, his wife, and his entire family as he continues his recovery," Leusner said.

According to the statements, the next known step in the case is a December court date, and the defendant remains in county custody unless that status changes.