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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