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ALBANY---Operation Rolling Thunder, New York’s newest fugitive apprehension strategy, has resulted in 169 dangerous fugitives and sexual predators from Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer counties being apprehended.
In making the announcement, Gov. George Pataki said “These fugitives were responsible for many crimes, including grand larceny, robbery and weapons possession, and failing to register as sex offenders. And, in addition to the arrests made, task force officers also cleared 216 outstanding warrants, and seized crack cocaine, heroin, and firearms.”
“This initiative was the third Operation Rolling Thunder sting since this program was created last year. Building on successes in Western and Central New York, and now, right here in the Capital Region, we will continue these operations in each of the major metropolitan communities in upstate New York during the next few months,” the Governor said.
Beginning on Tuesday, March 21, local, state and federal law enforcement began a fugitive apprehension sweep in the Capital District. During the five-day period, teams of criminal investigators fanned out throughout the Capital District area looking for fugitives wanted for rape; arson; burglary; robbery; assault; probation and parole violations; weapons and narcotics violations; and sex crimes.
A few among the fugitives arrested included:
Zachary Epperson, age 29, was wanted by the Rotterdam Police Department for burglary.
Epperson had a long and violent criminal history. Epperson was captured after he was found hiding in the attic of a home in Schenectady.
John Cumo, age 24, had two outstanding warrants from the Troy Police Department since November for failure to register as a sex offender. Cumo’s original conviction was for the rape of a 13 year old girl. Cumo was captured without incident at an address in Nassau.
Guy Peters, age 32, was wanted by the Albany Police Department on a total of eight outstanding warrants. Peters has an extensive criminal history with dozens of prior arrests and convictions. Peters was arrested without incident in Albany.
Operation Rolling Thunder in Rochester resulted in the capture of 118 fugitives. In Syracuse, the total captured was 180. In total, Operation Rolling Thunder has been directly responsible for capturing more than 450 dangerous fugitives in the Capital Region and in Western and Central New York.
In addition to providing personnel, Governor Pataki has made $25,000 available for each Operation Rolling Thunder initiative to assist local law enforcement agencies pay for overtime for the officers involved. 3-28-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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