Fugitive murder suspect arrested by troopers in Polk County

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Published  December 10, 2024 12:18pm EST
FOX 13 News
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    HAINES CITY, Fla. - Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol say they captured a fugitive from New Jersey who was wanted for homicide and attempted homicide in connection with a shooting.

    According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Trooper Matthew Belen got an alert from the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center (TBRCC) that a black Ram pickup truck involved in the New Jersey shooting was traveling eastbound on Johnson Avenue and Power Line Road in Haines City shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday.

    Trooper Belen spotted the truck, activated his lights and sirens, pulled over the vehicle and ordered the driver to get out slowly with his hands up.

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    The driver, who was later identified as Edwin G Facenda Suriel, was then commanded to lay on the ground with his hands behind his back.

    Troopers pulled over a truck it says was believed to be connected to a shooting in New Jersey. Images are courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol. 

    Troopers said Suriel had an active warrant out of Camden County, New Jersey, for homicide and attempted homicide.

    When asked about the warrant and where he got the truck, Belen said Suriel refused to answer.

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    Troopers say there were no firearms or drugs inside the truck. However, they said they found two phones and $1,455 in cash inside the vehicle.

    The suspect’s truck and the two phones were taken to the FHP Lakeland station for evidence and will later be turned over to Camden Metro PD.

    Suriel was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.

    Suriel’s wife was in the truck with him when the trooper pulled it over. According to FHP, she did not have any warrants and was released from custody.

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