The Dover Police Department arrested a fugitive from South Carolina following an arrest on December 28th, 2019. Officers contacted Jose Romero, 64, while responding to a trespassing complaint at a convenience store on White Oak Road.
Romero was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and Trespassing at the time. However, Romero produced a Delaware State ID with the name Arnaldo Figueroa, which was the name he gave officers. Officers processed Romero under that name at the time of his arrest.
During the arrest process, Romero signed all of the legal documents using the “Arnaldo Figueroa” name as well.
On December 30th, 2019, officers were contacted by the Delaware State Bureau of Identification, who advised that “Figueroa’s” fingerprints came back to Jose Romero, who was a wanted subject out of South Carolina.
It was learned that Romero was wanted out of South Carolina for “Escape After Conviction” on an Armed Robbery charge from December 13th, 1979.
Romero, initially released on his own recognizance before his identity became known, was then re-arrested on Jan. 1, 2020 by officers searching near Willis and White Oak roads here.
On January 1st, 2020 at 11:23 am, officers were checking the area of White Oak Road and discovered Romero walking near Willis Road. Romero was quickly taken into custody without incident.
Romero was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on an $18,000 cash bond and is also being held pending extradition to the State of South Carolina.
Romero was charged with the following offenses by the Dover Police Department:
-Public Intoxication
-Loitering
-Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree
-Out of State Fugitive
-Forgery 2nd Degree (4x)
-Criminal Impersonation