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Richard Piatt and Lance Bandley ReportingA massive criminal roundup by Federal and local police caught more than 9,000 fugitives across the nation. 134 of criminals are now behind bars in Utah as the result of 'Operation Falcon Two'.
This is an annual round up of gang members, drug dealers, sex offenders, arsonists and murderers. According to the US Marshals, this massive dragnet takes some of the nation's most dangerous, wanted criminals off the streets.
It's organized like any sting operation. Cops use the element of surprise to capture criminals who have gotten comfortable being fugitives. The sweep took place over the last week: April 17 through the 23rd.
The officers describe it as 'amazing', what they could get done with this cooperative effort.
James Thompson, U.S. Marshals Service: "JCAT officers arrested two for arson, 54 for narcotics, four for assault and eight for weapons charges. All but a couple had prior criminal histories."
Chief Deputy James Thompson says the major focus of the operation was tracking down sex offenders. He says around the nation US Marshals are looking for sex offenders who left the area in the south hit by the hurricanes last year.
At the same time, the Marshals Service says they cleared more than 1600 outstanding warrants. Obviously, some of the bad guys were wanted for more than one thing.
All the police agencies involved---from West Jordan to Taylorsville, up to Weber County and Davis county sheriff's departments--say the cooperative effort was key to the success of Falcon Two.
US Marshals conducted a similar operation last year arresting more than 10,000 people nationwide.
