10 Nabbed In Naperville Police 'Operation Clean Sweep'
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (STMW) - Two men are free on bond and awaiting trial on felony narcotics-related charges, after they and others were arrested during an anti-crime effort conducted by Naperville police on the city's west side.
"Operation Clean Sweep" ended with 10 arrests over a nearly 10-hour period Wednesday afternoon and evening at several apartment complexes in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Testa and Encina drives, police Sgt. Gregg Bell said. The targeted area abuts the Will-O-Way and Brush Hill neighborhoods.
Bell said the effort came in response to a more than 124 percent increase in public safety-related calls from the area since the end of last year, as well as requests from residents. Bell said complaints have run "the gamut" from suspected drug activity to trespassing to unruly behavior to loitering.
More than 30 police officers "descended on the area with a zero-tolerance plan," and actively worked from 1 p.m. until about 10:30 p.m., Bell said. Nineteen different police vehicles, including units from the Special Response and K-9 divisions, took part in the operation, he said.
More than 20 vehicles were stopped, with drivers and passengers either receiving written warnings or being arrested, Bell said. Police also served warrants for the arrests of several local residents, he said.
Special Response team members also executed a search warrant at a third-floor apartment on the 100 block of Testa Drive, where a marijuana-growing operation was discovered, Bell said. They confiscated 46 plants and more than a pound of suspected marijuana, he said.
Tyrone Townsend, 33, was identified as the tenant of that apartment. He faces trial on charges of producing or possessing more than 20 but not more than 50 marijuana plants, possession of more than 30 but not more than 500 grams of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the health or life of a child, according to records on file in DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton.
Three children with special needs were inside the apartment during the raid. Their genders, ages and relationships to Townsend were not known.
Arrested in a separate incident was motorist Anthony R. Depasquale, 17, of the 300 block of North Sixth Street in St. Charles. Court records indicated he will stand trial on charges of the manufacture or delivery of more than 10 but not more than 30 grams of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
A vehicle was also seized when police learned its driver no longer had a license, which had been suspended for driving under the influence, Bell said. The driver also had no insurance, he said.
Townsend and Depasquale are scheduled to appear in court on April 26 and May 7, respectively.
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