CONCORD, N.H. – Following four years of success in its national efforts, the U.S. Marshals Service teamed with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies throughout New Hampshire June 1 –7, to arrest dozens of fugitives in another successful Operation FALCON –Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally. Operation FALCON targets persons wanted on felony charges including sexual predators, unregistered sex offenders, violent crimes, narcotics violations, and other felonies. Among those arrested was Gerard Latulippe, wanted on an international provisional arrest warrant as a fugitive from Costa Rica.

Latulippe, 65, was arrested without incident June 3, on the 900 block of Ocean Boulevard in Hampton. The District of New Hampshire U.S. Attorney’s Office, requested the provisional arrest warrant when it was discovered that Latulippe may be living there. Because Costa Rica has an extradition treaty with the United States, they made a formal request to locate and arrest Latulippe as a fugitive from their country.

Latulippe faces allegations of significant fraud in Costa Rica. Interpol had sent out worldwide notices on Latulippe, and subsequent information pointed to the possibility that he was living in N.H. Based on that information, the USMS-led NH Joint Fugitive Task Force and FALCON team located and arrested Latulippe in Hampton. Latulippe appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending his extradition to Costa Rica.

During the week-long fugitive operation, Operation FALCON teams cleared 66 warrants, and made 54 physical arrests.

Other significant arrests included: Harry Sauve, 27, and Rebekah Riso, 25, who were both arrested in Manchester Monday, June 2, after a motor vehicle stop on Ash Street. Riso was operating the vehicle and Sauve was passenger in the front seat. A subsequent search revealed crack cocaine. Riso, who fled from the vehicle, was apprehended by a DSS agent and a Manchester Officer after a brief foot pursuit and struggle. She faces charges on an outstanding warrant from Exeter for receiving stolen property and several counts of resisting arrest. Sauve was arrested for possession of the crack cocaine located under the passenger seat.

On June 5, the Rochester Police, Deputy U.S. Marshals, and FALCON team members arrested Michael Mendoza, 24, on Woodlawn Rd in Rochester on warrants for Conspiracy to Commit Reckless Conduct and Criminal Liability. The allegations stemmed from a firearms related incident in Rochester May 31, which is still under investigation. Mendoza was found carrying marijuana. A subsequent search recovered three pounds of marijuana, .5 oz of crack cocaine, .3 oz of cocaine powder, and jewelry from approximately 15 Florida burglaries.

“This operation is another clear indication of the how effective New Hampshire law enforcement can be in combining resources for a shared purpose,” said U.S. Marshal Stephen Monier. “More than 35 federal, state, county, and local agencies participated in clearing 66 felony warrants, and the result is that our state and communities are more secure.”

Local and county officers were sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals immediately prior to the start of the operation, which empowered each team to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the week.

Agencies contributing to the U.S. Marshals-led Operation FALCON included the DEA, Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service, Social Security – Office of Inspector General, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Probation, the N.H. State Probation and Parole, the N.H. State Police and N.H. Sex Offender Registry Board, all ten County Sheriff’s Departments, and the Claremont, Dover, Dunbarton, Enfield, Greenfield, Hooksett, Kingston, Manchester, Nashua, Newbury, Rochester, Salem, and Seabrook Police Departments.

U.S. Attorney Colantuono said, “The people of New Hampshire are safer today because of the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who have removed 54 dangerous felons from our streets in Operation Falcon 2008. I congratulate the U.S. Marshals and all of the participating agencies for another highly successful fugitive roundup.”

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests and cleared over 45,300 warrants nationwide. “While the Marshals are often the public face of Operation FALCON, we have been extremely fortunate that all of our federal, state and local partners continue to wholeheartedly and enthusiastically come together to make this work,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “With their exceptional assistance, Operation FALCON continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.”

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov .
 

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