Phoenix suspects among 3,400 arrested in nationwide crackdown on violent offenders
Sep 30, 2024, 1:00 PM
PHOENIX — A massive crackdown on violent crime around the nation led to more than 3,400 arrests in Phoenix and 10 other metropolitan areas.
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested the 3,421 violent fugitives through the latest phase of Operation North Star 2024.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland described the multi-phase operation as a way to cuff some of the most dangerous fugitives and violent offenders in the nation.
“I am deeply grateful to every Deputy U.S. Marshal, Task Force Officer, investigator and police officer who carried out these arrests, and who did so at great risk to themselves,” Garland said in a news release from last week.
What was Operation North Star 2024?
This nationwide fugitive apprehension initiative has put violent offenders behind bars since 2022.
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This year, U.S. Marshals working on the operation worked closely with state and local law enforcement partners in 10 major metropolitan areas from May to September.
The latest phase of this operation took place over 74 days and focused on fugitives and violent offenders who used firearms in their crimes or who showed high risk factors for violence.
Authorities specifically targeted violent offenders wanted on warrants for homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, sexual offenses and firearms violations.
Why were Phoenix violent crime suspects arrested?
The U.S. Marshals Service identified Phoenix and the nine other cities as areas of interest after analyzing data from the National Crime Information Center and the FBI Uniform Crime Report.
In addition to the Phoenix metro area, authorities also targeted violent fugitives in these locations:
- Dallas, Texas.
- Dayton, Ohio.
- Fort Worth, Texas.
- San Antonio, Texas.
- Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Birmingham, Alabama.
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Charleston, South Carolina.
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
- North Charleston, South Carolina.
- St. Louis, including East St. Louis, Illinois.
USMS Director Ronald Davis said the U.S. Marshals targeted these areas due to their high levels of gun violence.
“The success of this operation is the result of the outstanding combined efforts of our Deputies and Task Force Officers, along with strong collaboration with the community and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners,” Davis said in the release.
What crimes were violent fugitives arrested for?
Operation North Star 2024 led to the arrest of 216 violent fugitives wanted for homicide. Another 803 fugitives were wanted for assault, while another 482 were wanted for weapons offenses.
Investigators who were part of the operation seized 534 firearms, over $508,000 and 456 kilograms of illegal drugs.
Part of their drug seizures included 138 pounds of fentanyl, which included over 550,000 deadly pills.
