500-plus fugitives arrested across two states
[July 07, 2026]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – More than 400 fugitives have been arrested in
Illinois, and another 117 in Missouri, over the last two months.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois said
recently that 305 fugitives were brought into custody since May 1.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said 11 federal agencies worked together to
combat violent crime in Chicago, Rockford and surrounding areas.
“During Operation New Dawn, federal law enforcement engaged in rapid,
targeted and responsive interventions that interrupted violence in real
time,” Boutros said in a statement.
Boutros said many of the fugitives had previously been charged with
serious criminal offenses.
Boutros said 24 children were found and safely returned home.
A spokesperson from Boutros' office said were no additional
appropriations for the operation.
"Existing resources were deployed," the spokesperson said in a statement
to The Center Square.
Also, federal officials in the Southern District of Illinois and Eastern
District of Missouri announced the results of a regional initiative led
by the U.S. Marshals Service and its task force law enforcement
partners.
The officials said 224 fugitives were apprehended in June and 290
outstanding arrest warrants were cleared, including at least 20% for
violent crimes including homicide.
Across Illinois’ southern district, U.S. Marshal David Davis said
marshals and regional task force members arrested 114 violent felons and
seized 20 guns, including two that were outfitted with machine-gun
converter devices.
[to top of second column]
|
“I’m especially proud of them for their arrest of six individuals
wanted on homicide warrants and the recovery of one missing child,”
Davis said.
Another 110 fugitives were apprehended in the Eastern District of
Missouri.
U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus said many of the warrants were for people
on probation or parole, some of whom allegedly committed new
offenses.
“That’s why we thought strategically why we really hopefully have
made a great impact for public safety in our community by taking
these 224 individuals off the streets now,” Albus said.
Albus said local, state and federal officials are all working
together.
“As someone that’s been involved in this process in St. Louis for 25
years, that’s the only way we know how to do it. The challenge is
such and the resources are such that we don’t have any choice but to
work together,” Albus said.
Southern Illinois U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft said an environment
of freedom and liberty starts with keeping violent elements off the
streets.
“Our principles and our way of life are secured by law enforcement
officers who defend those values with courage and with strength,”
Weinhoeft said.
Weinhoeft called law enforcement officers “the indispensable
guardians of American freedom.”
 |
