CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, Oct. 26, 2026 — An Atlantic County Superior Court judge on Monday ordered the pretrial release of Lucio Lopez-Perez, 36, of Erma, denying two motions by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office to keep him in jail until trial, court records show.
An immigration detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remains in place, The Press of Atlantic City reports.
Lopez-Perez is charged with driving while intoxicated, assault by auto and violation of public health and safety law resulting in serious bodily injury, along with traffic offenses, after Middle Township Patrolman Austin Kapurelos was struck during a traffic stop on Route 47 South on Oct. 16, according to Middle Township police. Kapurelos was taken to AtlantiCare Medical Center in critical but stable condition, police said.
The prosecutor's office filed pretrial detention motions on Oct. 17 and Oct. 20. Judge Jeffrey J. Waldman heard both Monday and denied them, according to the court record, which does not list the conditions of release.
Charges are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
As first reported by The Press of Atlantic City. Sources: New Jersey Courts; Middle Township Police Department.