Martinsburg, WV - Members of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force and the New York / New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF) arrested a New York man wanted in connection to multiple murders today in Martinsburg.
Charles Hernandez, 47, was taken into custody on Garden Dr. after a short standoff with the WVSP Special Response Team. Hernandez was wanted on a New York parole violation, with the underlying conviction of a weapons offense. Hernandez is also the prime suspect of a June 27th double homicide in New York, while wearing a blonde wig and a woman’s coat. Video surveillance allegedly captured Hernandez walking in and around the area where the homicides were committed and carrying an assault style rifle.
With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NY RFTF, NYPD investigated the current location of Hernandez in an attempt to arrest him. The investigation revealed associates in the area of Martinsburg, West Virginia. The U.S. Marshals NY/NJ RFTF contacted the Mountain State Fugitive Task Force to assist in locating and apprehending Hernandez. Deputy U.S. Marshals in WV identified an address where they believed he was attempting to evade capture. Hernandez was taken into custody at that location around 2:45 PM. During the arrest, Hernandez suffered a self-inflicted injury and was transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
“This was a dangerous fugitive and today is a fine example of the power of the fugitive task force model, where federal and state partners work together to keep the community safe," said J.C. Raffety, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. “The West Virginia State Police SRT along with NYPD Hostage Negotiator were instrumental in effecting his arrest."
