Second Suspect Wanted in Brutal Attack of NYPD Officer Captured by U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force
New York, NY – The U.S. Marshals (USMS) New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF), assisted by the USMS Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), on Wednesday apprehended the second suspect wanted in the violent attack of an off-duty NYPD officer.
Wayne Lucas was identified as the second suspect involved in the brutal attack of the NYPD Officer. The first suspect, Taveon Hargrove, was arrested by the NY/NJ RFTF with assistance from the CARTF on Tuesday in North Chesterfield, Virginia.
Investigators learned that Lucas fled the New York area with Hargrove and the two had remained together for some time. Lucas appeared to have been alerted to Hargrove’s arrest and was believed to have left the North Chesterfield area. The team developed information that Lucas was at an apartment in Richmond, Virginia, and set up surveillance. Lucas was observed in a wig, attempting to disguise himself, exiting the apartment to smoke a cigarette. He was immediately taken into custody.
“The U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and NYPD has apprehended the final suspect sought in connection with the brutal assault on an NYPD Officer. I commend them for their perseverance throughout this investigation. I hope this arrest brings a sense of justice and closure to the officer and his family,” said Jhovanny Gomez, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York.
The NY/NJ RFTF began operations in April 2002 and was the first regional fugitive task force to become fully operational following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The NY/NJ RFTF was the flagship that has allowed seven other regional fugitive task forces to be created across the country. With partnership agreements with over 90 federal, state, or local agencies and 13 fully operational offices, the NY/NJ RFTF has successfully apprehended over 95,000 fugitives since inception.
Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov
