Hundreds arrested in Eastern Washington crime crackdown

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Spokane Valley Police Department and the United Stat Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force have successfully concluded Operation Stampede, a six-month violent crime reduction initiative conducted from March 2 through Sept. 11. 

Operation Stampede focused on locating and arresting violent fugitives, disrupting gang activity, targeting repeat offenders, and addressing firearm-related crime and narcotics trafficking throughout the Eastern District of Washington, with a primary focus on Spokane, Spokane Valley, Spokane County, Yakima, and Yakima County, a Tuesday press release said

In Spokane County and Spokane Valley, Operation Stampede resulted in 100 arrests and the seizure of 42 firearms. 

As part of the broader initiative, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and Yakima Police Department concluded Operation Stampede: Yakima Surge, a week-long violent crime reduction initiative conducted May 3-8. The Yakima Surge focused on locating and arresting violent fugitives, gang members, and sex offenders throughout Yakima and Yakima County. Coordinated enforcement efforts resulted in the arrest of 28 individuals. 

Across the Eastern District of Washington, Operation Stampede and related enforcement activity resulted in more than 293 fugitives arrested, 88 of those arrests were gang members or gang associates, 336 warrants were cleared, 55 firearms were recovered, $2,517,378 dollars and approximately 455 pounds of narcotics were seized

Chief Dave Ellis of the Spokane Valley Police Department said, “Operation Stampede demonstrates what can be accomplished when local and federal agencies unite around a shared commitment to public safety. The Spokane Valley Police Department is proud to work alongside the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Marshals Service to locate and apprehend dangerous wanted offenders. This operation sends a clear message: individuals who commit serious crimes and attempt to evade justice will be pursued, and our agencies will continue working together to keep our communities safe.”