30 arrested in multi-agency fugitive sweep in Orange County

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The Santa Ana Police Department partnered with the U.S. Marshals service and other law enforcement agencies for a two-day, early-morning sweep targeting wanted fugitives.

"Operation Clean Sweep" took place mostly in the city of Santa Ana, with law enforcement officers hitting more than 200 locations.

"Go out and serve those warrants on outstanding suspects and cases that we had open," said Santa Ana police acting Chief David Valentin.

More than 100 law enforcement officers from the Santa Ana Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Orange County Sheriff's Department and the State of California Parole and Probation Offices took part in the operation.

Officers collected information and made arrests in hopes of giving closure to victims.

"Robberies, sexual assaults, domestic violence, even some property crime, but really focusing on violent crime, crimes against persons," Valentin said.

"Operation Clean Sweep" resulted in 30 arrests, many from cases originating in Santa Ana. Valentin said he wants this to send a clear message to the public.

"Making sure the community also knows that we're present, very much involved and understanding and keeping an eye on our community," he said.

Bert Tapia, chief inspector for the Marshals Service, added that the operations are important to the communities law enforcement officers live and work in.

"The ability of local, state and federal law enforcement to work together in tracking down these fugitives is vital to the peace and happiness of our communities," he said.

Valentin said the new partnership will help them get more suspects off the streets and keep the focus on crime prevention.

"It's important to go back and do that cleanup work so we impact the crime picture in the community here today and for the foreseeable future," he said.