104 Fugitives, Including 5 Wanted For Murder, Arrested In 'Operation Washout II,' Officials Say
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Officials announced the conclusion of a two-week multi-agency operation that resulted in the arrests of 104 people who had outstanding warrants. The effort was called Operation Washout II and it targeted violent criminals in Baltimore.
Police say five fugitives were wanted for murder, nine were wanted for attempted murder, and 28 were wanted for firearm-related offenses.
According to a spreadsheet provided by the Baltimore Police department, one suspect alone had 11 outstanding warrants. The police commissioner said these large-scale arrests are deterrence for future crime.
"Goal is to have this initiative create a general deterrence that would-be violators would see what just happened and know that this will happen to them also," said Police Commissioner Michael Harrison.
But in the days since the operation ended, the violence has continued. At least eight people have been murdered since last Friday and another 19 have been shot.
The bloodshed has left Baltimoreans feeling hopeless and terrified.
"I don't feel safe living around here," one young woman told WJZ in the Brooklyn neighborhood where a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed on Valentine's Day.
"I'm just scared to walk out of my door sometimes knowing I live right here. It's just crazy," said another woman on the same block.
All of the suspects still have the right to be released before trial if they're eligible for bail.
"Now that we've apprehended these violent offenders, we need to make sure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Governor Larry Hogan, who attended the press conference and praised the multi-agency collaboration.
Despite a recent surge in violence, all of the agencies involved insist large-scale operations that target known criminals will help reduce crime in Baltimore city.
"Operations like this and the arrest made have a direct effect on public safety in Baltimore City and bring peace to families in neighborhoods across our city," says Mayor Brandon Scott.