OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The work of more than 60 federal and local law enforcement personnel culiminated in the arrest of 28 fugitives across the Omaha-metro area Thursday in an operation led by FBI Omaha.
According to a Friday afternoon news release from the FBI’s Omaha field office, multiple agencies participated in “Operation Summer Heat” throughout the week, culminating in the arrests.
Additionally, two firearms were seized during the operation.
The operation focused on “executing federal warrants on violent criminals and fugitives, and dismantling violent gangs nationwide,” the FBI release states.
“From dawn to dusk [Thursday] we had teams throughout the region apprehending major violent offenders, drug traffickers, subjects charged with sexual abuse of children, and other fugitives as part of our Summer Heat initiative. This joint effort reflects our unwavering commitment to identify and apprehend those who choose to inflict violence and traffic drugs in our neighborhoods,” Eugene Kowel, special agent in charge of FBI Omaha, said in the release.
The U.S. Marshals Service Metro Fugitive Task Force the Omaha Police Department, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office aided the FBI in the operation, with support from Council Bluffs and Bellevue police departments.
“The Omaha Police Department is proud to partner with federal and local law enforcement in prioritizing the removal of dangerous criminals from our city streets,” OPD Chief Todd Schmaderer said in Friday’s release. “These collaborative efforts will have a meaningful and measurable impact on enhancing the safety of our community.”
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson also shared a statement in the release: “The Douglas County Sherrif’s Office Special Operations Group is proud to work with our federal and local partners to ensure that these high-risk, dangerous, repeat offenders are off the street and no longer victimizing innocent people in our community.”
Anyone with information about violent crimes can contact FBI Omaha at 402-493-8688; or submit a tip online.
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