Suspect allegedly hits ICE agent with vehicle, flees custody in Stafford Township, N.J.

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An officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was injured Monday while attempting to take someone into custody, Stafford Township Police said.

Stafford Township Police said they received a call at 9:30 a.m. Monday about an “incident” on Route 72 near Mermaid Drive in the Manahawkin section. Police said they were informed that federal immigration officials were attempting to take someone into custody.

According to a statement from ICE, officers were conducting a targeted vehicle stop, attempting to arrest Peruvian national Freidrich Castillo-Ormeno, who is in the country illegally.

The driver of the car they were trying to stop drove off and struck the agent, according to the statement. That agent shot in response and hit the vehicle, according to ICE.

It is unclear whether the vehicle’s driver is Castillo-Ormeno, who has not been detained. Authorities have been unable to trace the vehicle or identify the driver. The agent was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Federal officials, including the FBI, are investigating the incident.

Stafford Township Police said they were not part of the ICE operation, in accordance with the state’s Immigrant Trust Directive, adding that they are not investigating the incident. The department had been managing traffic in the area.

This story is developing.