Sheriff says next Mesa crime sweep will be unannounced
by Beth Duckett - Jun. 28, 2008 02:06 PM
The Arizona Republic
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Saturday he will bring his crime patrols back to Mesa, but next time there won't be any warnings.

Deputies arrested 72 people in Mesa this week in the controversial crime sweep that attracted immigrant rights groups and local police, who kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.

The two-day operation, which wrapped up Friday evening, led to the arrests of 28 undocumented immigrants and 21 suspects under warrant, a sheriff's office spokeswoman said.

The warrants ranged from driving on a suspended license to forgery.

Mesa had the most arrests out of the sheriff's last three saturation patrols in the Valley.

Flocks of demonstrators and police swarmed the city's streets Thursday, rallying with signs and video cameras. By Friday, the protests had died down considerably.

Arpaio, whose efforts were monitored by the U.S. Justice Department and Arizona Attorney General's Office, said his next patrol in Mesa will be unannounced.

"We are coming back to Mesa, but there will be no warning given to anyone," Arpaio said.

In April, the sheriff announced he would bring his crime patrols to Mesa after prompting allegations of racial profiling during sweeps in Guadalupe and Phoenix.



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