Crime sweep nets 40

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with local and state law enforcement on Thursday in a crime suppression operation in West Volusia that resulted in 40 arrests and 89 traffic citations.

The eight-hour sweep through DeLand, Orange City, Deltona and DeBary netted arrests for everything from open warrants and traffic offenses to possession of marijuana, Hydrocodone and steroids.

The Sheriff’s Office along with state probation officers and the DeLand, Orange City, Ormond Beach and Port Orange police departments joined forces in task force designed to suppress street crimes and gang activity.

Agents hit the streets at 2 p.m. on Thursday, saturating West Volusia hot spots that have generated complaints about burglaries, prostitution and drug sales. Officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, also sought contacts with people who have known gang ties, had open warrants or are suspects in unsolved crimes.

The tactics proved effective, resulting in six felony arrests and 34 misdemeanor arrests. Of the 40 arrests, a total of seven were for drug offenses. In two separate drug cases, one person was arrested with 175 milligrams of liquid steroids and another was caught with 17 Hydrocodone tablets.

One motorist who tried to run from officers during a traffic stop in DeLand was captured and charged with driving with a suspended license and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.

The Sheriff’s Office, which organized the operation, said it was a total success and more operations are planned in the future.