Arrest Update (5/9/2016 at 11:30 a.m.) – On Monday, May 9, 2016, Detective Keith Pearce was assigned to a fixed surveillance position at the Forked River Rest Area of the Garden State Parkway in the event the escapee, Arthur Buckel, was either hiding in the area or might possibly return to the area. While Detective Pearce was at the post with K-9 Officer Daniel Rotundo from the New Jersey Department of Corrections, a passing motorist reported possibly seeing a person in the woods along the northbound lane on the east side of the roadway at MM 76.5 in Lacey Township. Detective Keith Pearce responded immediately to the location near the rest stop and held the subject at gun point. With the assistance of the New Jersey Department of Corrections Officer, escapee Arthur Buckel was taken into custody without resistance. He was immediately turned over to state officials at the scene and was transported to the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, NJ.
The members of the Lacey Township are very proud of Detective Pearce and all of our personnel involved in the operation since 11 p.m. last night. Our focus was on maintaining strategic positions throughout this event to ensure the safety of our residents.