Gregory Yetman manhunt: FBI SWAT teams and cops search for Jan 6 riot suspect after he fled through

Publish date: 2024-05-04

Authorities were combing a wooded area in New Jersey for a man wanted on charges related to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The search for 46-year-old Gregory Yetman began about 9am on Main Street in Helmetta, as police were trying to serve a warrant.

Yetman fled into a wooded area, according to officials, who said he may be armed. 

The FBI described him as a white man in his 40s wearing a red jacket and a ball cap.

Spotswood Public Schools were issued a shelter-in-place order and local streets were closed as a massive manhunt was launched. 

Gregory Yetman (pictured) fled when FBI and cops tried to arrest him in Helmetta, New Jersey on Wednesday

Gregory Yetman (pictured) fled when FBI and cops tried to arrest him in Helmetta, New Jersey on Wednesday

FBI and police tactical teams could be seen in the backyard of homes as they searched for the suspect

FBI and police tactical teams could be seen in the backyard of homes as they searched for the suspect

The manhunt began at about 9am on Main Street in Helmetta, as police were trying to serve Yetman with a warrant

The manhunt began at about 9am on Main Street in Helmetta, as police were trying to serve Yetman with a warrant

The 46-year-old then fled into a wooded area, according to law enforcement

The 46-year-old then fled into a wooded area, according to law enforcement


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Tactical teams could be seen in the backyard of homes. Aerial footage showed law enforcement searching Yetman's backyard and a shed.

The 46-year-old is wanted in connection with the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Another image depicted him wearing a face gaiter and clutching a canister of pepper spray. 

While the charges he faces are unclear, Yetman was labelled '#278 AFO' by the FBI before his identity was unmasked.

'AFO' stands for 'Assault on a Federal Officer.'

At the time of the insurrection, he was a military police sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard.

He continued to serve until he was honorably discharged in March 2022. 

Yetman was identified as '#278 AFO' by the FBI before his name was released. 'AFO' stands for 'Assault on a Federal Officer'

Yetman was identified as '#278 AFO' by the FBI before his name was released. 'AFO' stands for 'Assault on a Federal Officer'

The 46-year-old is wanted in connection with the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol where he was seen wearing a face gaiter and clutching a canister of pepper spray

The 46-year-old is wanted in connection with the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol where he was seen wearing a face gaiter and clutching a canister of pepper spray 

Yetman was a military police sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard at the time of the insurrection before being  discharged in March 2022

Yetman was a military police sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard at the time of the insurrection before being  discharged in March 2022

On his LinkedIn, Yetman describes himself as 'Experienced Military Police with a demonstrated history of working in the military industry.'

He insisted in an interview with USA TODAY in March that he 'did nothing wrong' at the Capitol and 'didn't pepper-spray anyone.'

More than 780 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the January 6 riot. Over 280 have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors.

Yetman posted to Facebook in January 2017, showing that he was at the Capitol the day before former President Trump's election.

'Checking out the pregame day festivities. Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day but a great day,' he wrote.

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