Passaic Sheriff's Warrants Squad Nails Elusive Fugitive

PATERSON, N.J. -- Persistence paid off for Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik's warrants squad when members Tuesday night arrested an ex-con who they said skipped sentencing on a drug conviction and racked up other charges while free.

Deshaun Nelson, 40, eluded them in May, when the officers -- acting on a tip -- found several handguns and heroin, crack and pot for sale in his Hamilton Avenue apartment, Berdnik said.

Another tip panned out just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, he said.

Nelson tried to run when detectives found him at a senior citizens complex on Keen Street, but they quickly surrounded him, the sheriff said.

He "put his hands up and dropped down to the floor," Berdnik said.

Nelson remained held without bail in the Bergen County Jail pending sentencing on the previous conviction. Still to be determined are charges for resisting arrest and trespassing.

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