South Bend, IN – Following a four-year tradition of success in its national efforts, the U.S. Marshals Service locally conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) from June 23 – 27. Led by the U.S. Marshals, Operation FALCON 2008 netted 211arrests and cleared 306 warrants within the Northern District of Indiana.

Operation FALCON combine the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies focused on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. Over the course of the six-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, arrested fugitives on a variety of offenses: 12 battery/strangulation, 42 parole/probation violators, 4 rape/sex offense, 25 burglary/residential entry, and 49 drug related offenses. U.S. Marshals seized 10 firearms, over $125,000 in cash, a bulletproof vest, and over 50 pounds of marijuana, 21 grams methamphetamine, and 8 grams cocaine.

Edward James Olson, 25, was a fugitive wanted by Kosiusko County for Larceny. A team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, with fellow law enforcement officers, arrested Olson at the America’s Best Suites in Fort Wayne. A mobile methamphetamine lab was discovered in his hotel room. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called to recover and dispose of the chemicals.

“From the outset, Operation FALCON has proved how much can be accomplished when we combine resources at the federal, state and local levels,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “This operation is not possible without the unique talents and dedication that each participating agency brings to the table.”

Agencies contributing to Operation FALCON were the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Wayne Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph County Police Department, West Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Police Department, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan City Police Department, Porter County Sheriff’s Department, Valparaiso Police Department and the Indiana State Police.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests and cleared over 45,300 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

For more information about Operation FALCON, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm
 

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