Toms River kidnapping suspect a non-citizen; ICE places detainer against release: cops
TOMS RIVER - Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have lodged a detainer against a 21-year-old Englewood man charged with kidnapping a female acquaintance from Aldi on Route 70 Sunday night, according to Ocean County Jail.
Luis F. Moreno-Gutierrez, is currently sitting in jail on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials issue detainers so police and other law enforcement officials know to notify ICE of an upcoming release and so they hold that individual until immigration officials take custody of them.
Law enforcement agencies do not have to cooperate with ICE, although most do, according to the agency.
Homeland Security officials did not immediately provide information on Morenogutierrez‘s immigration status or why the agency placed a detainer on him.
But to lodge a detainer, ICE must have probable cause to show that an individual is a "removable non-citizen," according to the agency's website. It uses whatever evidence it can obtain, some from "databases and electronic data," to see if probable cause to remove someone exists, according to the website.
"ICE collaborates with all law enforcement agencies to help ensure that non-citizens who may pose a public safety threat are not released onto the streets to reoffend and potentially harm individuals living within our communities," the website reads. "Everyone receives due process, and ICE focuses its resources on removing criminals and public safety threats.".
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Toms River police went to the Aldi supermarket on Route 70 shortly before 7 p.m. on the report of a disturbance resulting from customers arguing in the parking lot.
No one was there when the officers arrived. But police also received a report that a female had been kidnapped by a male acquaintance who was wielding a knife. The man assaulted her and left her unconscious in another location, police said.
The victim went to a local hospital.
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Moreno-Gutierrez, was later identified as a suspect. He was arrested by Englewood police and taken to Toms River police headquarters.
Police are urging anyone with information to call Toms River Detective Ryan Parente at 732-349-0150 extension 1391.
Editor's Note: Court, jail and police records in New Jersey list the suspect's name as Luis Morenogutierrez. A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement corrected that, spelling the last name Moreno-Gutierrez.
Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at kserrano@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River kidnapping suspect has detainer lodged against him by ICE
