Operation Nets 300+ Fugitives
POSTED: 10:59 am MST July 7,
2008
UPDATED: 4:05 pm MST July 7,
2008
PHOENIX -- Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies collaborated on "Operation Falcon," a one-week fugitive round-up at the end of June, arresting more than 300 fugitives, authorities said.
Authorities arrested 312 fugitives wanted on 346 warrants throughout Arizona. Drugs and ten firearms were also taken off the streets.Of the 312 fugitives, police nabbed 177 in Maricopa County.The majority of the fugitives were previously convicted of dangerous felonies, officials said. "Career criminals," or repeat offenders, commit between 200 and 500 crimes each year."One career criminal can be responsible for 200 to 500 crimes a year," said Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris. "We put between 30 to 40 Phoenix officers into this task force and the end result is hundreds of fugitives taken off the street."Fugitives arrested include Michael Neeley, a registered sex offender; Juan Figeroa Miranda, a prison gang member and bank robber; Jose Libni De La Vara-Lopez, the subject of a Mexican arrest warrant; and Elbert Shabie, a convicted double-murderer on parole.In addition, authorities at the U.S. Port of Entry in Douglas, Ariz., arrested Steve Kwon and Jae Hwan Shim on quadruple homicide charges."Operation Falcon was a successful collaborative initiative which will bring closure to many open investigations and send a message to fugitives that 'you can run but you can't hide,'" said Fidencio Rivera, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Arizona.Operation Falcon involved more than 154 law enforcement officers from 41 contributing agencies throughout the state.There are still more than 40,000 outstanding warrants in Maricopa County.
 Police Chief Jack Harris On Fugitive Sweep |
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