Dragnet Nabs 116 Dangerous Gang Fugitives

By Rupert Deeds

In a law enforcement blitz dubbed “Operation: Long Island Wave,” the combined forces of the US Marshals Service and sixteen local police agencies busted than 100 wanted fugitives - many of then dangerous gang members of MS-13, the Crips and the Bloods.

The arrests were done in a sweep across Nassau and Suffolk counties during the first two weeks of May. Several of the wanted gang-bangers were nabbed in Glen Cove, with the active participation of the Glen Cove Police, and in Huntington Station, with the help of the Suffolk County Sheriff and police.

The U.S. Marshals Service, for the first time in about fifteen years, helped local law enforcement in capturing Long Island's most dangerous wanted criminals. They flooded crime hot spots in several neighborhoods, working with intelligence carefully gathered.

More than 200 police officers participated in the operation, which took months of preparation. About half of the officers came from local police departments. They were deputized as federal marshals for the operation.

In all, the operation closed 200 cases and executed 116 arrests, of which 69 involved gang members.

"MS-13, Latin Kings, Bloods, Crips. It doesn't matter what gang you're part of." said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "I'm part of this gang and this gang wins every single time, hands down,"

"We are getting the worst of the worst off the streets," added Suffolk County Undersheriff Kevin Catalano. "People who committed themselves to a life of crime certainly aren't going to stop."

The decision to launch the sweep was spurred by a spike in crime, and strategically set up ahead of an expected uptick in summer gang activity and gang-related shootings.

Because the arrests were done by federal authorities - and not by New York State, where the Cuomo-Hochul "no bail" reform laws mandate that most criminals be immediately released - federal officials say that the accused fugitives will likely be held in jail, without bail.