U.S. Marshals arrest hundreds of Metro's most wanted fugitives as federal authorities launch operation to combat STL crime

EAST ST. LOUIS, Missouri (First Alert 4) – U.S. Marshals launched a crime reduction operation Tuesday.

A special task force was dispatched to arrest fugitive felons throughout the greater St. Louis area.

“We're looking for the worst of the worst. We're looking for the violent criminals,” said David Davis, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois.

Federal agents made arrests along I-70 and met at their headquarters in East St. Louis before executing warrants against violent offenders.

“The Marshal Service looks for cities with high rates of violent crime, such as murder, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and rape,” Davis says.

The region has made the list of the most dangerous places to live that require the Marshals' help. Other cities include Baltimore, Chicago, Memphis, New York City, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Washington DC.

During a drive on Tuesday morning, the task force was caught by First Alert 4 while on the hunt for murder suspects, drug offenders, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

“We also have the consent of the citizens. We want to try to help them have a better life,” says Davis.

The operation resulted in the arrest of at least seven of the Metro's most wanted fugitives.

During an arrest in St. Clair County, a toddler was caught in the line of fire, and police officers intervened to calm the little girl down.

“It's sad, but we try to be as kind as we can and tell them everything is going to be OK,” said task force officer Zach Opel.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey plans to announce the results of the federal operation in September.

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