FBI, State Police catch one fugitive, seek help from public finding another

He was cooling his heels at a rest stop off the New Jersey Turnpike earlier today when FBI agents and State Police investigators moved in and arrested Bryant Benitez, 25, of Washington, D.C. In his vehicle, investigators said, they found four kilograms of cocaine worth roughly $500,000 on the street.

Jerry DeMarco

08/29/2009 4:07 a.m.

Now, authorities are seeking the public’s help in tracking down 29-year-old Alberto Chavez of Silver Spring, Maryland.

WANTED: Chavez

FBI agents and members of the New Jersey National Guard Counter-drug Task Force were watching the Vince Lombardi service area on the New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange 18E/18W in Ridgefield when Benitez turned up around noon today.

Chavez is described as 5’8” and 180 pounds, light-skinned, with short and dark hair.

He’s from Paraguay, speaks fluent Spanish and English, and may have contacts in Queens, New York.

Weysan Dun, the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge of the Newark office, thanked the New Jersey State Police and all local agencies who responded for their assistance in this matter.

Anyone who thinks they have seen Chavez is asked to contact the FBI at 973-792-3000. Although Chavez is not known to be violent, the public is asked not to approach or try to capture him themselves.

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