Escaped New Jersey inmate Arthur Buckel captured
LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A nearly week long manhunt for an escaped inmate ended Monday when he was taken into custody by New Jersey authorities.
Police in Ocean County confirmed that 38-year-old Arthur Buckel was taken into custody Monday on the Garden State Parkway.
The manhunt for Buckel intensified earlier Monday, when authorities set up a command post at the Forked River rest area on the Garden State Parkway. Lacey Township police released surveillance photos of Buckel walking inside the rest stop. They said he was seen wearing a grey, long-sleeve sweatshirt, grey shorts and work boots with what appeared to be a knapsack slung over his chest.
Lacey police said state troopers and Buckel's family were making arrangements for him to turn himself in at the rest area. But he was gone when state police arrived.
Armed officers combed through a wooded area nearby, believing Buckel headed north on foot, but were unable to track him down.
Guards at Bayside State Prison in Hammonton reported Buckel missing on May 3. Two days later, Buckel was caught on camera shopping at a CVS pharmacy in Barneget Township, nearly 75 miles from the prison.
Buckel had been serving a sentence for aggravated assault, drug possession and burglary. He was scheduled to be considered for parole later this month.
He previously served 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a 10-month-old child.
Police from Lacey and Berkeley Townships are beefing up patrols in each town and are assisting in the search. Lacey police said additional officers are also being sent to schools and bus stops as a precaution.