SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County officials announced the arrest of 32-year-old Cristobal Avila from North Plainfield, New Jersey, previously named the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive of the Month for September. Avila was sought for five counts of 1st degree Attempted Murder, 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and 2nd degree Certain Person Not to Have Weapons.
Avila was apprehended by the Easton, PA Police Department on Saturday, September 30, during a routine traffic stop. He presented officers with a counterfeit government ID. Following his arrest, the Easton Police Department reached out to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office to confirm the active fugitive warrants listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald disclosed that following the conclusion of Avila’s criminal charges and extradition proceedings in Pennsylvania, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit will return him to New Jersey. Until his sentencing hearing in Pennsylvania, Avila will remain detained there.
Prosecutor McDonald extended gratitude to the Easton, Pennsylvania Police Department for their collaborative efforts in this operation.