The sweep yielded Mercer County Sheriffs the highest amount of arrests and total monies collected during the operation.
TRENTON -- A three-day sweep of people who owe money in back child support payments led to a record breaking 168 arrests, Sheriff Jack Kemler announced Monday.
The sweep -- a statewide operation that ran from Tuesday Sept. 20 through Thursday Sept. 22 -- yielded the Mercer County Sheriff's Office the highest amount of arrests and total monies collected during the operation, the sheriff's office said.
The number is also a new county record for the most Mercer County arrests during such a sweep, according to the the office.
"In most every instance, those caught in the sweep intentionally ducked out of paying their court-ordered child support obligations," said Kemler. "Many of those taken into custody habitually evaded paying support for their children."
The sheriff's office -- joined by Trenton police, New Jersey State Police, as well as U.S. Marshals -- led the joint operation which also included members of the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, Mercer probation officers and court officers.
County sheriff's office arrests 133 in child support sweep
Teams 'pursued the most egregious non-compliant' parents in the county targeting 173 men and 12 women. In total, $64,000 was collected for distribution by the N.J. Family Support Payment Center of Mercer County, the office said.
"Most of those caught in the sweep claimed they lack the means to make their court-ordered child support payments," the office said in a statement. "However, each was afforded the opportunity to set up lump sum or scheduled payments as a condition of their release."
"Parents who fail to pay court-ordered child support for the care of their children often results in a severe financial struggle for the custodial parent and the children," the office said.
"Be a responsible parent and clear up any long-overdue child support payments," Kemler said.
For information on how to file a child support complaint or resolve a child support warrant, contact Detective Stephen Mellick at the Mercer County Sheriff s Office at 609-989-6798.
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.