For 30 days, members of the US Marshals-led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force descended on Cleveland with a goal to arrest criminals and help kids. They hoped to find fugitives, sex offenders, and missing children. The mission, nicknamed Operation TriDENT, proved to be a success. It led to the capture of 130 fugitives, the rescue of 10 missing children, and the removal of 10 sex offenders from the streets.
According to a news release from the US Marshals Service, Cleveland made significant strides in the war against crime in just 30 days.
“Operation TriDENT reflects the dedication, professionalism, and teamwork of our officers and partner agencies. Over the past month, their tireless efforts have demonstrated a unified commitment to enhancing public safety throughout the City of Cleveland,” Cleveland Division of Police Chief Dorothy Todd shared in the release.
She explained that Operation TriDENT brought together many individuals with the same goal.
“On any given day, two to three coordinated teams were actively engaged across the city—a coordinated effort to achieve the operation’s mission. I’m proud of the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated throughout this operation,” Todd added in the release.
The task force focused on violent crimes, paying special attention to finding criminals with gun-related offenses and felony assault charges. Operation TriDENT recovered 11 firearms, two of which were stolen, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition during the 30 days.
Police apprehended violent criminals, including a man wanted for pushing a 6-year-old child from a third-story window. They also nabbed a man wanted for killing two family members and injuring two police officers.
“This is a prime example of how local-federal partnerships should work and the impactful results those bring — with more than 100 fugitives arrested, thousands of rounds of ammunition recovered, and dangerous drugs removed from our streets,” Mayor Justin Bibb shared in the release. “Partnerships like this are strongest and most effective when coordinated in tandem with local police departments. We greatly appreciate the U.S. Marshals and will continue to collaborate with other federal law enforcement agencies who similarly operate by keeping the needs of the local communities they serve in mind.”
The Missing Child Unit helped to recover or locate 10 children. Operation TriDENT also led to the arrest of 10 fugitives wanted for sexually oriented crimes.
“The task force partnership in the city of Cleveland is our longest standing in the entirety of northern Ohio,” US Marshal Pete Elliott shared in the release. “The NOVFTF is incredibly proud of this partnership and will continue, day in and day out, to work with law enforcement partners and community partners to keep the city of Cleveland safe and free from the clutches of criminals who intend to do it harm.”
