Jul 9, 2009 8:20 pm US/Central
Hundreds Arrested In Minn. Fugitive Sweep
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
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The effort focused on capturing sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. U.S. Marshal Michael McGinn says nine people arrested in Minnesota are known gang members. (File)
WJZ
More than 250 sex offenders, violent criminals and other fugitives were taken off Minnesota streets during a five-day sweep in June that was part of an annual national crackdown, authorities announced Thursday.
The U.S. Marshals Service said 175 local and federal law enforcement officers from around Minnesota participated in this year's "Operation FALCON," which stands for Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally.
Authorities cleared 299 warrants in Minnesota, and arrested 258 people -- more than double the number arrested during the same effort last year.
"We're confident that what we've done will have a profound effect on crime in the state," U.S. Marshal Michael McGinn said at a Thursday news conference announcing results of the sweep.
U.S. Marshals Supervisory Deputy Rich Pederson, who led the effort, said the number of arrests increased over last year for many reasons. He said many law enforcement resources last year were devoted to preparing for the Republican National Convention and that this year's effort covered more ground -- reaching from Bemidji and Duluth in the north to Rochester and greater Olmsted County in the south.
Nationally, more than 35,000 fugitives were arrested and more than 47,000 warrants cleared, officials said.
The effort focused on capturing sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. McGinn said nine people arrested in Minnesota were known gang members.
St. Paul police Chief John Harrington said 55 people were arrested in his city alone.
"I really am very, very satisfied," Harrington said. "I'm hopeful that this sets us up for a very good and a very peaceful summer."
Authorities said the hunt for fugitives continues daily, but during the sweep, teams of officers can converge on several locations at once -- giving them a greater chance of catching those who don't want to be found.
"None of the agencies involved in operation FALCON are flush with manpower, with resources, but we find that if we get everybody together for one concerted effort, it seems as though it works much better and we're much more productive," McGinn said.
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The United States Marshals Service has been around for over 200 years. The first 13 Marshals were appointed in 1789 by President George Washington.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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