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ALBANY-A total of 152 dangerous fugitives and sexual predators from Erie and Niagara Counties have been apprehended as part of Operation Rolling Thunder, New York's newest fugitive apprehension strategy. As a result, 213 warrants were cleared during the last week of May.
"These fugitives were responsible for many crimes, including robbery and murder". Gov. George Pataki said in announcing the arrests. "This initiative was the fourth Operation Rolling Thunder sting since this program was created last year. Building on successes in Monroe County, Central New York, the Capital Region, and now in Niagara and Buffalo, 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, May 23, local, State and federal law enforcement began a five-day fugitive apprehension sweep in Erie and Niagara Counties and teams of criminal investigators fanned out throughout communities looking for fugitives wanted for rape; arson; burglary; robbery; assault; probation and parole violations; weapons and narcotics violations; and sex crimes.
Beginning in November of last year, members of local, State and federal law enforcement agencies compiled lists of wanted dangerous fugitives from all over the State. The members of the Rolling Thunder Task Forces used the lists to identify the most dangerous fugitives, and to develop operational plans for locating and capturing these fugitives throughout New York.
Operation Rolling Thunder in Rochester resulted in the capture of 118 fugitives and a total of 180 were captured in the Syracuse area. Most recently, efforts in the Capital Region netted 169 arrests. In total, Operation Rolling Thunder has been directly responsible for capturing more than 600 dangerous fugitives throughout the State.
In addition to providing personnel, Governor Pataki has made $25,000 available for each Operation Rolling Thunder initiative to assist local law enforcement agencies with overtime pay for the officers involved. The prosecution of these fugitives will be jointly handled by the United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, the Erie County District Attorney's Office and the Niagara County District Attorney's Office.
Operation Rolling Thunder is the second fugitive apprehension initiative announced by Governor Pataki. In his 2005 State of the State Address, the Governor announced Project SAF-T and the 100 Most Wanted Program. Since their inception last January, 89 fugitives have been apprehended and the 100 Most Wanted web site, www.NYSMostWanted.com, has received more than 1 million hits. 6-1-06
© 2006 North
Country Gazette
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