SAVANNAH, GA (October 25, 2022): Savannah Police’s Violent Crimes Task Force conducted a three-day operation targeting Savannah’s top outstanding suspects for violent crimes, domestic and felony cases that resulted in 10 arrests, the seizure of guns and drugs and more than $15,000.
“Our Violent Crimes Task Force has been tasked with locating outstanding suspects in our community and to bring them in to face their charges for violent crimes, and they did just that, bringing along with the suspects guns and drugs that are continuing to cause problems in our community,” Interim Chief Lenny Gunther said. “The task force plans to continue its focus on prolific offenders and will conduct frequent operations to apprehend them.”
During the operation, which ran Oct. 18-20, the task force, which consisted of SPD’s Strategic Investigations Unit, K-9 Unit, patrol, FBI, DEA and U.S. Marshals, set out to locate the offenders that had been determined to be the department’s top outstanding suspects.
The operation resulted in eight felony arrests and two misdemeanor arrests. The task force also recovered two firearms, one of which was stolen, and the seizure of crack cocaine, marijuana and more than $15,000.
Although this was the first in a series of planned fugitive apprehension operations, the Strategic Investigations Unit has taken a renewed focus and enhanced approach on crime since July.
During that time, the unit has made 78 felony arrests and nine misdemeanor arrests and recovered 67 firearms (nine of which were stolen), six stolen vehicles, more than 600 grams of cocaine, 85 pills, 20 grams of methamphetamine, 55 grams of fentanyl plus 14 fentanyl pills, 7,000 grams of marijuana and $48,000.
“I’m extremely proud of the hard work of the Strategic Investigations Unit,” Gunther said. “Its work over the past four months is making a major impact on crime and safety in Savannah. We will continue to target individuals who are affecting safety and quality of life issues for residents, business owners and visitors to our city. We are asking the public to assist us in our efforts by reporting issues and any information on any known, outstanding suspects to our department so we can continue to maximize these efforts and hold people accountable for their crimes.”
Anyone with information that will assist SPD in its investigative efforts should contact the Violent Crimes Tip Line at 912-525-3124 or CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020.