517 Warrants Closed as Violent Offender Warrant Sweep (VOWS) Continues

Upper Marlboro, MD…In the 6th week of the VOWS operation to serve violent offender and other warrants the Sheriff’s Office Warrant/Fugitive Division said the operation has resulted in 289 arrests to dispose of 517 warrants. The operation is funded with a grant from the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention.

The kickoff of the VOWS operation on July 14, 2013 was a successful one with 85 arrests to close 104 warrants. “The original results seem to have set a tone for this operation.  The quality of preparation is critical to success and we are very pleased by the results,” said Captain Mints, Assistant Bureau Chief of Field Operations and operational manager of the initiative.

The Division reported that the number of detainers has also increased from 19 to 78.  A Detainer is filed for crimes for which a suspect must be extradited from another jurisdiction to the jurisdiction with an outstanding warrant; it asks the other jurisdiction to “detain” the suspect pending extradition by the Sheriff’s Office.  A Detainer also indicates that the suspect’s case has not been adjudicated before the courts in Prince George’s County.

“As we continue to focus resources on the most violent offenders, who represent the greatest danger to our communities, the apprehensions and warrants closed in the most violent crime categories are important,” said LTC Regina Taylor. Citing specific crimes, Taylor went on to say that warrants have been served in five (5) Murder and attempted Murder, nine (9) Armed Robbery and Robbery and 25 Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance cases. Taylor said 119 Assault warrants have been served, the largest category of warrants closed.  Additionally, two guns have been seized.

 For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.    
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