DAYTONA BEACH -- Law enforcement turned up the heat on criminals in East Volusia Thursday night during a multi-agency street crimes operation that resulted in 35 arrests and the issuance of 51 traffic citations, Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said.
The Sheriff's Office organized the operation, which was designed to target street crimes, known criminal suspects and wanted persons, high traffic locations and individuals with gang ties.
In addition to the Sheriff's Office, other participants included the Volusia County Beach Patrol, Port Orange Police Department, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, DeLand Police Department, South Daytona Police Department, Ormond Beach Police Department, Holly Hill Police Department, Daytona Beach Shores Police Department. Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Florida Probation & Parole.
Participating units from the Sheriff's Office included patrol deputies and investigators based out of the Sheriff's Office's District 3 headquarters in Holly Hill along with K-9 units, motors deputies, a helicopter and the agency's Crime Suppression Team. The crackdown
resulted in 13 felony arrests and 22 misdemeanor arrests. During the operation, officers recovered five stolen vehicles and made five DUI
arrests. Officers also documented contacts with five known gang members and associates, developing information that could prove useful in
investigating and solving other crimes.
The involvement and teamwork of so many law enforcement agencies was incredible, according to Capt. Dana White of the
Sheriff's Office. "The whole idea was to be highly visible and make our presence felt," he said. "We're going to keep the pressure on and keep
the streets safe for law-abiding citizens."