Sweep By U.S. Marshals Results In 273 Arrests

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An intense weeklong focus by the U.S. Marshal Service has resulted in the arrest of 273 fugitives. <br/><br/>The agency said Friday that 18 federal, state and local agencies joined

Saturday, September 1st 2007, 3:10 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An intense weeklong focus by the U.S. Marshal Service has resulted in the arrest of 273 fugitives.

The agency said Friday that 18 federal, state and local agencies joined the marshals as a part of an effort dubbed Operation FALCON. The three-year-old FALCON program is designed to return the U.S. Marshal Service to its roots, which is apprehending fugitives, said Michael Roach, the U.S. Marshal for the federal Western District of Oklahoma.

During the focus on apprehending fugitives, ``nothing stops, we just concentrate on that one area with a lot more manpower,'' Roach said.

``This is the best year we've ever had.''

Similar operations this year have been or will be conducted between July and October in 27 cities, including Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City operation lasted from Aug. 19 to Aug. 25.

Before the operation began, authorities prioritized arrest warrants and gathered necessary information so that officers could find the fugitives.

The operation included more than 60 officers split into eight teams, six in Oklahoma City and two in Lawton. Roach said ``these guys worked 24 hours a day'' to apprehend 273 fugitives, wanted for charges including first-degree murder, assault and battery with intent to kill and escaping from a state prison.

``These are people who really have to come off the streets,'' Roach said.

The teams canvassed the state's federal Western District, which includes 40 Oklahoma counties. Their efforts complemented the work of the Metro Fugitive Task Force, an organization that catches about 700 fugitives each year.

Through mid-August, the task force _ which includes U.S. marshals and officers from other agencies _ has arrested 371 people this year, said Gary Gray, Roach's chief deputy.

``They're the best at what they do,'' Roach said.