Borough man fled police after morning arrest
By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
MONROE — Police recaptured an escaped prisoner from the Jamesburg Police Department that caused the a lockdown at all of the district’s schools, according to officials.
Naser A. Zucker, 19, of Jamesbourg was apprehended at Thompson Park in Monroe Township by members of the Monroe Township Police Department at 1:50 p.m. after he fled from the Jamesburg Police Department at 12:10 p.m., according to a joint press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and both the Jamesburg and Monroe police departments.
Mr. Zucker was one of three people who were arrested earlier in the day at an apartment on George Street in Jamesburg during an investigation by the Jamesburg Police Department and members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Gangs, Guns, and Drugs Task Force, according to the release.
During the 7:52 a.m. arrest, police seized less than a half-ounce of heroin valued at $4,000. Police also seized $6,000 cash used in illegal drug transactions.
The two others arrested and charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute were identified as Mr. Zucker’s brother, Robert Zucker, 27, and Heather Walliker, 37, according to the release.
Police said that Mr. Zucker initially was being held on $100,000 bail, which was set following that arrest on charges of possession and possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
At some point around 12:10 p.m., Mr. Zucker was able to escape custody and make a run into Thompson Park, according to the release.
Officials said the investigation into the escape is ongoing and details of those circumstances were not released.
Mr. Zucker was apprehended after a park visitor saw the suspect and told police as they arrived during an extensive search.
He was then charged with escape and was being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick on $150,000 bail.
The circumstances surrounding the escape remain under investigation. No one was injured during the escape.
Police immediately notified school officials in Jamesburg and Monroe Township and a "shelter in place" designation was ordered at each of four schools as a precautionary measure.
No students were in danger, police said, and the schools resumed normal operations after police apprehended the suspect.
The locked down schools were identified by police as the high school and the middle school in Monroe Township and the Grace M. Breckwedel Middle School and John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Jamesburg.
In the release, Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey thanked police and school officials for acting quickly to ensure the safety of the students.
Robert Zucker was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and Ms. Walliker was released on her own recognizance, police said.
Police said the investigation is active and is continuing.