Hazleton Police Capture NYPD Shooting Fugitive

Hazleton City Police captured a fugitive wanted in relation to a New York shooting.

Around 8:41pm yesterday Chief Jerry Speziale was on patrol when he saw a male matching the description of a person of interest in a Hazleton Investigation at the intersection of Cedar and Diamond Ave entering a taxi. 

Speziale followed the taxi while other Hazleton units saturated the area and a traffic stop was initiated at 8th and Laurel 

The male passenger was identified as 31 year old Gene Hayes, formerly of Brooklyn and now residing in Hazleton. Upon running his name through Luzerne County Commommunications Center, Police determined Hayes had a full extradition felony warrant out of NYPD for Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of a loaded firearm, and other related offenses. 

Hayes was taken into custody without incident and transported back to City Hall where the mobile fingerprint scanner was used and verified that he was the fugitive wanted on the warrant. 

Charges completed for Fugitive From Justice, NYPD was contacted and a copy of the warrant was sent. 

Hayes is being transported to LCCF for lodging, arraignment and an extradition hearing.