>> Continued From the Previous Page <<
Two of those arrested stand out not only for the seriousness of their alleged crimes but because they’re reportedly in the country illegally. Lorenzo Benitez, 54, a Guatemalan national, was captured on June 4 in Plainfield, New Jersey. He’s accused of committing multiple sexual assaults in Keansburg, shocking a community still grappling with the damage such violent acts can cause.
Also arrested was Darlin Franco-Guzman, a 25-year-old from Honduras. According to authorities, Franco-Guzman was wanted out of Baltimore County, Maryland, on charges of burglary and the attempted sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. Law enforcement tracked him down to Trenton, New Jersey, and took him into custody on June 10.
The operation also snared numerous suspects wanted for brutal acts of violence. Stephen Bullock, 32, was apprehended on June 13, accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 76-year-old woman in Camden County—a crime that left locals stunned and demanding justice. Meanwhile, Shawn Davis, 38, was captured in Brooklyn for his alleged involvement in a 2024 murder in Trenton.
The crackdown didn’t stop there. Police took Luis Duval-Jimenez, 31, into custody for allegedly mowing down a South Brunswick police officer in May—a grim reminder of the rising dangers faced by law enforcement officers nationwide. And on June 19, authorities arrested Trasuf Bennett, 20, and a juvenile accomplice for allegedly carrying out a drive-by shooting that left a 20-year-old man dead in Millville, New Jersey.
Then there’s Francisco Ruiz, 67, whose arrest capped off a multi-charge pursuit. Ruiz, officials said, was wanted for sexual assault by contact, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal restraint. Police finally caught up with him in Bayonne on June 20, removing yet another alleged predator from the streets.
In the midst of these arrests, officers also seized 14 illegal firearms, taking deadly weapons out of the hands of suspected violent criminals. For law enforcement, it was a clear win in their ongoing battle against rising violent crime rates.
Habba praised the cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies, describing the effort as “a major success in combating violent crime and restoring public safety.” She made clear where her priorities lie: “We are doing multiple cases at once to make sure that we clean up as quickly as possible. Violent crime is number one. It is very clear from this administration. That is all we’re focused on.”
In a moment that showcased the unpredictable nature of the operation, Habba and her team found themselves waiting outside a residence for a suspect to emerge and surrender. Instead, three individuals who turned out to be illegal migrants exited the house. The key suspect, reportedly a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, remained on the run. Speaking about the fugitive, Habba didn’t mince words, telling Fox News: “He is a gang member of Tren de Aragua. But they think they have rights here that they just don’t have. You are a criminal you need to get out.”
“Operation Apex Hammer is also targeting U.S. citizens with arrest warrants including a New Jersey woman who police say recently shot at least two people. Also, one man who was wanted for aggravated assault was arrested by the team,” Fox reported.
The message from Habba and federal authorities is unmistakable: whether citizens or illegal immigrants, violent criminals won’t find a safe haven in New Jersey. As Habba bluntly declared, “So, the politics are done now, and it’s honestly been amazing being here.”
Operation Apex Hammer has proven one thing for certain—the days of violent offenders slipping through the cracks are numbered, and those who break the law are running out of places to hide.
