A multicounty effort last week to capture fugitives with outstanding warrants was a success, officials said Monday.
Spearheaded by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, "Operation Can't Hide" brought together more than 20 agencies in Southern and Northern Arizona to make an effort to share warrant information and then track down fugitives between Oct. 22 and 24.
"Can't Hide" resulted in 116 felony arrests throughout the state, including 43 in Southern Arizona.
"It is kind of like weeding your garden. These are known criminals and weeding them out makes the community safer," said DPS Director Roger Vanderpool.
"Can't Hide" was a collaboration between agencies partnering with the DPS Violent Criminal Apprehension Team.
Formed in May, the team's goal is to improve communication among state law enforcement agencies and to help them identify and track down fugitives.
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For example, a Tucson police detective who has a warrant for a person who may have fled to another city can call the DPS.
The DPS team members will then figure out the best officers or agency in that city to share the information and coordinate with, said Chief David Denlinger of the DPS criminal-investigations division.
This cuts out some of the frustration of finding that a request has to go through several bureaucratic levels before getting to the right person, said Lt. Greg Roberts of the Tucson Police Department.
"If we have a wanted person in Tucson and he's up in Coconino, it's an easy phone call. It's a great extended law-enforcement tool," he said.
breakdown of the arrests
116
Felony arrests made last week during "Operation Can't Hide."
135
Felony warrants cleared.
18
Misdemeanor warrants cleared.
8
Felony arrests made in Santa Cruz County.
12
Felony arrests made in Pima County.
73
Felony arrests made in Northern Arizona.
23
Felony arrests in Cochise County.
370
Arrests on felony warrants statewide since formation of DPS team in May.
28
Arrests on sex offenders' warrants statewide since May.
