'Most Wanted' Fugitive From NJ Nabbed in Florida

A convicted murderer who police say has been in hiding for more than 15 years has been arrested in Florida.

Detectives from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department arrested Robert Marone, 69, on Friday after receiving a citizen's tip relayed from the New Jersey State Police's Fugitive tipline, according to a release from the Office of the Attorney General.

Marone, who was living under an alias in Fort Lauderdale, was wanted by the New Jersey Parole Board on a violation stemming from a 1971 murder conviction. In 1992, he was charged with aggravated sexual assault on a child in Ocean County and has been on New Jersey's 12 Most Wanted list since 1995.

"The cooperative effort leading to the apprehension of Robert Marone is a excellent example of how well law enforcement can work together to accomplish a common goal," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. 

"We are grateful for the fast actions of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in assisting us to close the cell doors on this two-decades-old fugitive case."

The New Jersey State Police had received a tip from a citizen who called the fugitive tipline (800-437-7838) after researching Marone on the Web. Florida authorities nabbed Marone in less than an hour after receiving information from the New Jersey State Police, the release said.

Marone is lodged in the Broward County Jail, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.