44 arrests made in Wayne County through Operation Purge Detroit

Initiative aims to remove violent offenders from streets

DETROIT – A three day operation has led to the arrests of 44 fugitives and violent offenders wanted on felony criminal charges in Wayne County.

The initiative, Operation Purge Detroit, is aimed at removing some of the most violent offenders from the streets.

Recommended Videos



As part of the initiative, analysts from the Detroit FBI, FBI Headquarters, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, and the Detroit Police Department reviewed over 2,300 warrants. During the initial review, 360 offenders were found to be deceased, 80 were found incarcerated, and 384 were found out of state.

A majority of the arrests were for felony assault. The fugitives and violent offenders were also arrested for robbery (armed and unarmed), weapons offenses and felony domestic violence.

“The residents of the City of Detroit and Wayne County should not have to worry about violent fugitives roaming freely on their streets,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono, FBI’s Detroit Division. “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to assist these communities to take back their streets and to help make our neighborhoods safe so that residents can go about their lives from fear of violence.”