Governor George E. Pataki announced that 154 dangerous fugitives and sexual predators from  Nassau County have been apprehended as part of Operation Rolling Thunder—New York’s newest fugitive apprehension strategy. In addition to the arrests, 215 warrants were cleared and 208 cases were closed.

“Thanks to the brave men and women in local, State and federal law enforcement who worked  tirelessly during  this initiative, 154 dangerous fugitives will be going back to  where they belong - behind bars. The apprehension of these dangerous criminals will make the communities and neighborhoods in Nassau County safer,” Governor Pataki said. “These fugitives were responsible for many crimes, including robbery and assault.”

“This initiative was the fifth Operation Rolling Thunder sting since this program was created last year. Building on successes in Monroe County, Central New York, the Capital Region, Niagara and Buffalo and now in Nassau, we will continue these operations in each of the major metropolitan communities in upstate New York” the Governor added.

Beginning in mid-June, participating members of Rolling Thunder began targeting selected fugitives for capture. And, on  Monday, July 24, 2006,  local, State and federal law enforcement began a five-day fugitive apprehension sweep in Nassau County. Teams of criminal investigators fanned out looking for fugitives wanted for rape; arson; burglary; robbery; assault; probation and parole violations; weapons and narcotics violations; and sex crimes.

New York State Director of Criminal Justice Chauncey G. Parker said, “Operation Rolling Thunder is the Governor’s newest crime fighting initiative. Operation Rolling  Thunder  gives local law enforcement officials the  tools they need to reduce crime in their communities by taking off the streets dangerous fugitives that we know have committed crimes in the past and preventing them from committing additional crimes in the  future.  Operation Rolling Thunder brings together local, state and federal agencies to target the worst of the worst fugitives in the higher crime areas of the State. Working through a coordinated and concentrated enforcement strategy, law enforcement is able to remove dangerous predators from our neighborhoods and make sure they are no longer free to roam the streets and commit more vicious crimes.”