TASK FORCE SWEEP NABS 66 BAY AREA FUGITIVES IN 5 DAYS

A task force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies nabbed 66
fugitives in a five-day Bay Area sweep, the U.S. Marshals Service announced
Friday.

Fugitives in Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, San Leandro, Fremont, Union City,
Richmond, North Richmond, San Pablo and San Francisco were targeted. They
were wanted for assault with a deadly weapon, battery, drug possession or
sales, robbery, bank fraud, welfare fraud, spousal abuse, car theft,
failing to register as a sex offender and other crimes.

About 75 percent of those arrested were wanted for or had prior convictions
for drug offenses. The task force also seized as-yet-unconfirmed amounts of
crack, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine, and two handguns.

About 35 agencies participate in this task force, which has made periodic
sweeps of the area since 1998. In that time, the task force has closed
almost 1,800 fugitive investigations and seized 43 weapons.