AKRON ‒ Federal and local authorities arrested more than 600 people and seized hundreds of firearms across northern Ohio as part of Operation Northern Shield, a coordinated effort this summer targeting violent crime, federal authorities said.
U.S. Attorney David Toepfer announced the results of the operation during an Aug. 18 news conference in the Ocasek Building, saying it was conducted in May, June and July and covered eight cities, including Canton.
“It’s the first of its kind, targeting several metropolitan areas all at once,” Toepfer said.
The goal, he said, was to prevent violent crime before it happened.
Operation Northern Shield targeted individuals
As temperatures rise in the spring and summer months, so does violent crime, Toepfer said, explaining that this operation aimed to mitigate that increase.
To do this, the combined resources of local and state police and federal authorities — FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security — bore down on the targeted cities week-by-week in what Toepfer called a “surge week.”
“These were more targeted on violent offenders,” Harding said.
Authorities said 619 people were arrested, including 29 suspected gang members. They also seized 198 firearms, an inert grenade, two machine gun conversion devices and $120,200 in cash, along with fentanyl, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs.
Daquan Rucker, who was indicted on the charge of reckless homicide in the death of Richard Poole in Canton, was among those arrested during the operation.
In one instance, a man was arrested near Wyandot County, Assistant Chief U.S. Marshal Anne Murphy said. Police ended up seizing over 140 firearms and over 200 pounds of drugs.
In Cleveland, a man was arrested and charged for his role in a Cleveland homicide. Murphy said officers recovered roughly $24,000 in cash, drugs, firearms and loaded gun magazines.
“I think the goal is to ensure that these cases are wrapped up as soon as possible,” Murphy said. “What this does is keep our communities safe quicker.”
Akron’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center aided officers in their local operations, Assistant Special in Charge John Smerglia said.
“They’re destined for crime,” Smerglia said of the seized firearms. “They’re destined for murder.”
Bryce Buyakie is an Akron-based reporter who covers the courts and public safety for the Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com or on X @bryce_buyakie.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Operation Northern Shield arrests hundreds across northern Ohio
Reporting by Bryce Buyakie, Akron Beacon Journal / The Repository
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By Bryce Buyakie, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
