Operation North Star III: Milwaukee police, US Marshals tout success

MILWAUKEE - U.S. Marshals say they have arrested 255 fugitives wanted for violent crimes in Milwaukee – and 37 of those fugitives were wanted for homicide. It was all a part of Operation North Star III. 

A news release says Operation North Star III is the latest phase of an operation to target thousands of violent offenders in 20 cities across the United States.

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) of the Eastern District of Wisconsin Fugitive Task Force (FTF), in collaboration with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) arrested those 255 fugitives, closed 417 warrants, and removed 103 illegal guns from the streets of Milwaukee.

"You may wonder why we did we see so many firearms here in Milwaukee? It's because our task force goes the extra step," Ruzinski said. "If you look at the total of a national level, there were 555 across the 20 cities. One-fifth of that was here in Milwauke."

The news release goes on to say the Eastern District of Wisconsin FTF and MPD also participated in Operation North Star II in January 2023 arresting 114, clearing 213 warrants, including 11 for homicide, and seizing 45 firearms.

"This is a collaboration. We all know the challenges that we are experiencing in Milwaukee," Norman said. "And see that we are able to see a force multiplier of individuals, not only from the federal level but also our local partners working together to have that kind of impact."

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Officials say ONS III was run across the country in June, July and August.  A two-week surge was done in Milwaukee at the end of July into August.

Complete news conference

There were no injuries to those arrested or to members of law enforcement during this latest operation.