Verdell Gorden

COURT HOUSE — Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer on Friday, March 5 reported that a tip from a Herald reader resulted in the arrest of Verdell Gorden.

Gorden was one of two persons whose photos were published March 3 in the print edition and on-line.

Schaffer reported that a tip was received March 3 by Sgt. Scott Knoedler. Followup was done by Sheriff's Officers and Gordon was arrested at the Crest Haven Complex.

He was lodged in county jail. His arrest was the 15th of persons wanted by Cape May County law enforcement who were arrested or surrendered after their photos appeared in the Herald.

The program began in April 2009 when Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Sheriff Gary Schaffer partnered in a Cape May County Most Wanted Program. This program looks 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.

Gorden, 21, was wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a violation of probation warrant. His original charge was receiving stolen property. He was last seen in the Wildwood area.

Citizens with information of other fugitives 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.