Cleveland Division of Police leads multi-agency law enforcement effort to arrest 50 violent offenders during “Operation Clean Sweep”

Monday, Oct. 3, 2022 — Cleveland — Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Chief Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Wayne Drummond announced today that the Cleveland Division of Police conducted “Operation Clean Sweep” throughout the City of Cleveland, culminating in the arrest of 50 individuals and the confiscation of five firearms. 
 
“Thanks to the excellent work of CPD and our multi-agency partners, our streets are safer than they were a month ago,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “This operation is a perfect example of how we leverage our partnerships and work collaboratively for a safer Cleveland. We are grateful for the hard work of everyone involved in this effort.”  
 
During this month-long operation, from Aug. 26 through Sept. 28, the Cleveland Division of Police combined resources with partnering law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels to identify, locate, and apprehend wanted violent individuals identified by each of the five Cleveland Police Neighborhood District’s Violent Crime Reduction Teams (VCRTs), the Gang Impact Unit, and Narcotics Task Forces as top contributors to acts of violence and organized criminal activity within the City of Cleveland.  
 
“Operation Clean Sweep” focused on dangerous violent offenders with active warrants related to crimes of violence committed across the city. Individuals arrested in this operation were wanted for violent offenses including aggravated murder, felonious assault (shooting), aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, aggravated burglary, rape, and kidnapping. 
 
“Members of the Cleveland Division of Police continue to provide the City of Cleveland with excellent service and dedication, as is evidenced by the results of this multi-agency law enforcement effort,” said Chief Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard. “I extend my gratitude for the efforts of the investigators involved. As always, law enforcement will continue to combat violent crime to protect and serve those who live in, work, and visit Cleveland.” 
 
The Cleveland Division of Police Bureau of Special Services partnered with the following units, agencies and task forces in order to achieve the results of this successful operation: the Narcotics Unit, the Real Time Crime Center, the SWAT Unit, the Fugitive Unit, the Gang Impact Unit, all five Cleveland Police District Violent Crime Reduction Teams, the Vice Units, the Community Services Units, the Heroin Involved Death Investigation Team, the Cartel Gang Narcotics and Laundering Task Force, the Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  
 
“I am extremely proud of the results of ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ and of the efforts of our investigators and officers,” said Police Chief Wayne Drummond. “Here in Northeast Ohio, we are fortunate to have the support of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, and assistance from those agencies was instrumental in driving this successful effort. I want to thank our partners for their continued assistance.” 
 
Citizens are encouraged to contact law enforcement to report illegal or suspicious activity. If you have information that may assist investigators in apprehending wanted individuals or wish to report criminal activity, please call 9-1-1 in an emergency or 216-621-1234 in a non-emergency.   
 
Anonymous information can be provided by calling Crimestoppers at 216-25-CRIME and a cash reward may be available.