Fugitive of the Week Found and Arrested in Florida by U.S. Marshals

Concord, NH – Late yesterday afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Jacksonville, Florida were able to locate and arrest "Fugitive of the Week," Douglas Collins, Jr., 51 years-of-age. Collins was wanted on an outstanding Rockingham County (New Hampshire) warrant for failing to appear on a charge of attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault.

Collins had been featured December 4th as the "Fugitive of the Week". This feature was aired on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat, Manchester Information, the Manchester Ink Link, the Rochester Voice and prominently featured on the internet.

The "Fugitive of the Week" continues to be a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007. Additionally, the "Fugitive of the Week" is distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers.

After being featured, countless anonymous tips were received. A good number of these tips pointed to an area just east of Jacksonville, Florida. After an extensive investigation conducted by members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Forces in both Florida and New Hampshire the search was narrowed down to a residence in Atlantic Beach, FL. After an extended period of surveillance, Collins was observed and the members of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force moved in and made a safe and uneventful arrest of Mr. Collins. Collins was transported to the Jacksonville County (FL) Sheriff's Office – Department of Correction for processing and holding pending his initial court appearance. Collins has been charged as a fugitive from justice based on the outstanding arrest warrant from the Rockingham County (New Hampshire) Sheriff's Office.

This arrest was made with the cooperative support of several members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force including, members from the Jacksonville – K9 (FL), Hillsborough (New Hampshire). Rockingham (New Hampshire), and Strafford (New Hampshire) County Sheriff's Offices, the Atlantic Beach (FL) Police Department, along with deputy U.S. Marshals in both New Hampshire and Florida.

U.S. Marshal, Nick Willard said, "You can attempt to run from your legal problems, but unfortunately, legal problems and arrest warrants do not go away." Willard continued, "We will find you, and you will be returned to New Hampshire to face our criminal justice system, that is why we always recommend that people surrender and deal with their legal problems, as it is a much better solution than running."

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 7,881 arrests (Updated as of 11/30/2019). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.