"Operation Summer Heat Wave" plan in place to capture 450 wanted by police

Tampa Police clear out old warrants

Posted: 07/26/2011
Last Updated: 11 hours and 54 minutes ago
By: John Thomas

TAMPA - Tampa Police are trying to get the worst of the worst off the street. They are calling it "Operation Summer Heat Wave," an attempt to close the door on outstanding warrants.

Right now the city has close to 6000 outstanding warrants, most for minor crimes. Tuesday's round-up focused on 459 of the most violent and drug-related of those warrants.

Starting early Tuesday morning, officers hit the streets all over Tampa as well as outside the city and in other states with the help of the U.S. Marshal's Office, picking up people charged with everything from battery to dealing drugs.

As of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday here's how all the numbers break down:
•72 warrants were cleared.
•33 through arrests (5 from out of state).
•19 were found to be already dead.
•20 were already in jail or prison on other charges.

The push was spearheaded by Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Buckhorn says cleaning up the streets to help keep Tampa residents safe is a priority.

Operation Summer Heat Wave will continue through July 29.

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