Sheriff's operation a success

Sheriff Tom Knight announced at a press conference today the success of Operation Booster Bumper — a crackdown on retail theft and organized crime rings that resulted in 59 arrests.

Cooperating with area businesses, the Sheriff’s Office used crime mapping and intelligence analysis to identify prolific offenders and concentrate manpower and resources where it was needed most.

“This was a collaborative effort with local retailers,” Knight said. “It’s important that we work with the public to stop crime.”

Retail theft is a multi-million dollar problem locally, Knight said.

The eight-day operation was another success for Sheriff Knight’s intelligence led policing program called “Intelligence 2 Action” (I2A).

“Intelligence led policing helps us concentrate manpower and be much more proactive in fighting crime,” Knight said. “We don’t want to wait until something happens, we want to anticipate it and stop the criminals before they act.”

During the operation, deputies arrested 59 suspects and obtained warrants for two more. The arrested suspects have nearly 1,000 prior charges.

“These are criminals who do this for a living,” Knight said.

Knight attributed Sarasota County’s overall drop in crime rate to I2A and touted Operation Booster Buster as another success for the program.

Area retailers that cooperated in the bust include: Walmart, Home Depot, Beall’s, Beall’s Outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, Target and Sports Authority.

Contact Nolan Peterson at [email protected].