Wilmington, DE – Delaware was not the place to be last week if you were a fugitive. 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) June 16-22. Led by the U.S. Marshal, Operation FALCON 2008 netted 41 arrests within the District of Delaware.

Over the course of the seven-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, arrested 41 fugitives, including four sex offenders, a subject wanted for a home invasion and six criminals for weapons charges. The law enforcement officials searched for fugitives in all three counties of Delaware

Allen Stinger was a fugitive wanted by Philadelphia Police for the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl. A team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, with fellow law enforcement officers, arrested Stinger June 18 on the 500 block of Franklin Street in Wilmington.

“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.”

David W. Thomas, United States Marshal for Delaware said, “Our unit acts as a force multiplier for all police agencies in Delaware. The combined efforts of all the police agencies make it easier to catch the fugitives.”
The operation started on June 16 and concluded on June 22. Fugitives wanted for violent and sexual crimes as well as pedophiles who failed to register as a sex offenders were targeted in this week-long operation.

During the operation, one subject was arrested for a home invasion. Another arrested subject was wanted from Philadelphia for repeatedly raping an eight-year-old girl. Four fugitives were wanted for failure to register as a sex offender and six people were arrested for weapons charges.

“I applaud all of the federal and local police agencies who participated in this operation,” said Colm F. Connolly, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware.

Operation FALCON in Wilmington consisted of approximately 40 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, making up several separate arrest teams working throughout the seven-day period. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation. This special authority empowered them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the week.

The following law enforcement agencies participated in Operation FALCON 2008:

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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