The promise of free electronic devices lured more than 100 fugitives into the custody of waiting Cook County Sheriff’s officers during a two-week ruse operation.
The ruse, dubbed “Operation C.W. Marketing” resulted in the arrest of more than 100 fugitives, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Those arrested ranged in age from 19 to 66 years old and were wanted for violent felonies, unpaid child support, traffic offenses and other charges.
During the two-week operation, fugitives were invited to a Cook County warehouse to test various electronic devices, which they believed they could keep after completing a survey, according to the release.
Among those arrested included a fugitive who took a bus from Wisconsin and a man who sprinted several blocks to waiting authorities because he was late for the appointment, the release said.
More than 45,000 fugitives are wanted in Cook County, the release said. Officials have used fugitives’ last known addresses to try to lure them into other recent operations as well, some of which included promises of holiday shopping certificates or a refund of owed federal stimulus money.
Anonymous tips based on fugitive information the sheriff’s office posted online have also led to dozens of arrests and tips on other criminal activities, according to the release.
Sheriff Tom Dart held a press conference on Tuesday to speak about the operation.
