Suspect In Custody In Fatal Shooting Of NJ Police Officer
LAKEWOOD, N.J. (CBS/AP) -- Police arrested a 19-year-old suspect Sunday morning in the fatal shooting of a New Jersey police officer, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.
Jahmell W. Crockam is accused of shooting Lakewood Patrolman Christopher Matlosz Friday afternoon after the officer drove up to him and began to question him.
He was arrested in a Camden apartment without incident at 6:30 a.m. by State Police and a fugitive task force from the U.S. Marshal's Office, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford.
She said detectives got information that Crockam had fled to Camden and was hiding in a unit of the Crestbury Apartments on South 8th Street. Officers raided the apartment and took him into custody.
"This concludes a massive effort by law enforcement to apprehend a person we feel is responsible for the death of Officer Matlosz," Ford said. "The arrest of this suspect now allows the Lakewood Police Department and the family and friends of Officer Matlosz an opportunity to grieve, to give tribute to their colleague, friend and loved one."
State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes said all law enforcement officers were affected by the killing.
"There's no joy in catching an accused cop killer, only the satisfaction of knowing that no one rested until the job was done," he said. Crockam was charged Saturday with murder and weapons offenses.
The suspect had already been returned to Lakewood, where he was being held Sunday morning. He is expected to be brought before a judge on Tuesday. A judge has already set bail for him at $5 million, with no opportunity to post 10 percent of that amount in cash to gain his release.
"Our thoughts first and foremost are for the officer's family; hopefully this will let the healing begin," said Deputy Mayor Steven Langert. "It was an atrocious crime. Anytime you have a crime of this magnitude, it's a shock to every civilized person out there.
"We're all grateful he was arrested as quickly as he was," Langert said. "Life will be changed forever for the officer's family, and for all of Lakewood. We need to feel that for each other."
The prosecutor also credited tips from the public with helping locate the suspect.
Crockam, whose street name is "Sav," -- short for "Savage" -- had fled to Camden, a poor city on the opposite side of the state, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. A dragnet encompassing at least three states and more than 100 officers had been searching for him since the shooting Friday at 4 p.m.
Anthony Wieners, president of the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, praised the officers who investigated the crime and helped with the arrest.
" would like to thank all the members of law enforcement who tracked this cop killer down," he said. "Your tireless hours and pursuit of this ruthless killer makes all of society a little safer today. There is no place he could hide that we would not find him, and your efforts prove that true."
Authorities have said 27-year-old Matlosz drove up to Crockam as Crockam was walking and began speaking with him in a non-confrontational manner when the suspect suddenly stepped back, pulled out a handgun and shot the officer three times.
The suspect fled on foot, touching off a massive house-to-house search that involved armored vehicles, officers clad in body armor, teams of search dogs and helicopters.
Crockam had been a fugitive since December 29, when the prosecutor's office obtained an arrest warrant for him on charges of possessing an illegal rifle and hollow-point bullets. It was not immediately clear whether Matlosz knew of the arrest warrant or whether that was why he approached Crockam and began talking to him Friday afternoon.
Matlosz had been on the Lakewood police force for four years, and was engaged to be married next year.
His fiancee, Kelly Walsifer, issued a statement expressing her devastation over Matlosz's death, which came about four months after the death of his father.
"Chris was my best friend and soul mate. We did everything together. In the last 4 years, we both lived our life to the fullest," the statement said. "He was my life and my world. He made me laugh, he made others laugh, and we have been surrounded by the best of friends and co-workers throughout our time together."
The statement continued: "He just lost his father and now it brings me some peace to know that he is with him."
Watch the video...
(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
