UPDATE: Most Wanted Fugitive Surrenders

CREST HAVEN — Just hours after the April 15 edition of the Herald hit the street, a wanted man surrendered himself at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
It was the first such incident since this newspaper initiated publication of photos and offenses of persons wanted by county law enforcement agencies on April 1.
According to Sheriff Gary Schaffer, Quinton Hatcher, wanted for violation of probation, “Saw the wanted poster in the Herald, and turned himself in at the jail.”
“This is what I was looking for. This is starting to work,” said Schaffer, who took office in January.
“The word is getting out. We are increasing our efforts to pick up wanted persons, and with citizens’ help, we will be able to do it,” he added.
The wanted persons publication project is being done in concert with Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor and Sheriff’s Department.
“The criminal has no greater enemy than police and the people working together,” said Schaffer.
“If we get the public working with us, criminals don’t stand a chance,” he added.
Schaffer said he hopes to strengthen ties with citizens to fight crime using technology, such as the Internet and cell phones, that will allow citizens to alert law enforcement when they see, hear or suspect illicit activity in their communities.
COURT HOUSE — Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Sheriff Gary Schaffer have partnered in a Cape May County Most Wanted Program. This new program will look to the public for information leading to the apprehension of fugitives wanted by their respective office’s fugitive units.
Mug shots and identifiers for wanted persons from each office’s Most Wanted list will be forwarded to the Cape May County Herald asking for the public’s assistance in their apprehension.
Citizens are asked to contact the County Prosecutor’s Tip Line at 463-LEAD (609-463-5323) or the County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (609-675-1207) with their tips.
The public is urged not to attempt to apprehend the fugitives themselves. The most wanted list will appear every two weeks thereafter.
According to Sheriff Schaffer, “We have enhanced our working relationships with the Prosecutor’s Office and local police departments on various law enforcement initiatives including our fugitive units. I am excited about reaching out to the media for their assistance in helping public safety and looking forward to getting help from our citizens. It is through open partnerships like this that will make our county even a safer place to live.”
Currently, the Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Office have fugitive units that process the bench warrants issued from the Cape May County Superior Court for Failure to Appear, Violation of Probation, and Child Support.
In addition, officers assist other agencies in serving complaint warrants wanted in other jurisdictions. It is hoped that this initiative will result in a coordination of services and will act as a force multiplier, resulting in tips and leads generated from the members of the public to locate the wanted persons.
“I look forward to working with Sheriff Schaffer on this new public safety initiative. I would like to thank the Herald and Managing Editor Al Campbell for their assistance in this public service,” Prosecutor Taylor said.