PORT ANGELES — Local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement teamed up for a warrant sweep on the North Olympic Peninsula last week that resulted in 26 arrests, the clearing of 31 warrants and a yet-to-be-determined number of new charges.
The crimes associated with the arrest warrants, which were issued in Clallam and Jefferson County superior courts, vary, Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron said.
Multiple teams of officers set out Tuesday morning to locate those with outstanding warrants from Port Townsend to Forks.
The three-day operation, which was coordinated and assisted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, included members of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles and Sequim police departments, state Department of Corrections, U.S. Border Patrol, Lower Elwha Police, Neah Bay Public Safety and National Park Service.
“In some cases, other crimes were discovered in the course of the execution of the arrest warrants, and additional charges resulted,” Cameron said.
“The recent arrest of the Port Townsend resident alleged to be in possession of 1,000 pounds of stolen mail was associated with a warrant team’s effort to locate and arrest that person as part of the operation. Additionally, in some cases, illicit drugs were located, including methamphetamine and heroin.”
Local law enforcement will follow up multi-agency sweeps to serve more warrants in the near future, Cameron said.
“During this week’s event, very serious crimes in which warrants were issued were the focus, but other felony and misdemeanor warrants that remain outstanding amount to well over 1,000 and will be the focus of future operations,” he said.
Port Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said the focus of the operation was Clallam County and its three cities, though teams also operated in Jefferson County.
The majority of those arrested were booked into the Clallam County jail in Port Angeles.
On Tuesday, a fugitive team assisted Port Townsend police in arresting Adam J. Lysiak, 38, who was wanted on a felony warrant and at least five misdemeanor warrants.
The subsequent search led to the discovery of more than 1,000 pounds of stolen mail and what appeared to be a substantial identity theft operation.
Port Townsend police are investigating.
All told, the warrant sweep led to the seizure of 1.8 grams of heroin, 1.1 grams of methamphetamine, 12 Valium pills, 1,000 pounds of stolen mail, computers, printers and other devices used to make fraudulent documents, Smith said.
“The local agencies greatly appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service in this operation,” Smith said.
“Persons who are criminal fugitives on the Olympic Peninsula can expect similar interagency operations in the near future.
“These persons should consider immediately surrendering themselves to court or law enforcement authorities.”
