Fugitive Likely Out Of Search Area In South Jersey: Police

NEWFIELD BOROUGH, NJ — A fugitive remains at large following extensive search efforts that included a shelter-in-place, police said Friday. But authorities believe he left the Newfield area and is no longer a threat to local residents.

The man is wanted out of Hammonton, Atlantic County, according to the Franklin Township Police Department. Authorities haven't publicly disclosed his identity or the offense(s) for which he's wanted.

Authorities advised Newfield Borough and part of Franklin Township to take shelter Thursday night. Officials lifted the shelter-in-place early Friday morning but asked residents to report anything suspicious as the search continues for the potentially armed individual.

At about 11 a.m. Friday, police said there was "no viable information" leading them to believe that he was still in the Newfield area. The search included K-9s, drones, a State Police helicopter and personnel from throughout Gloucester County.

The Franklin Township Police Department released a photo of the wanted person Friday morning.

Officials described him as a 52-year-old Hispanic man who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with blue jeans, according to the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management.

Initially, police asked all Newfield residents to take shelter amid a heavy police presence around Weymouth Road and Cades Court. Hours later, officials extended the guidance to Franklin Township in the area of Main Road and Catawba Avenue.

The Franklin Township Police Department — Newfield's local law-enforcement agency — maintained a heavy presence in the Newfield area after lifting the shelter-in-place. The agency said it would do so until it received "viable information" that the suspect was no longer in the area.