Dozens Arrested in Roundup

The TBI, Chattanooga police, US Marshals and numerous other agencies are rounding up criminals on a variety of charges. So far they've served more than 80 warrants and arrested more than 40 people.

This round up covers two days, several types of crimes, and involves many agencies.  Law officers looked through their most wanted lists and hit the streets to catch the criminals.

Police put on their lights and sirens throughout East Chattanooga Friday.  We found patrol cars lining the neighborhoods, parked on side streets, and pulling over anyone breaking the law.  Police Spokesperson Rebecca Royval says, "Directed patrol, saturated the area with lots of officers, in the east lake and highland park areas, and also east chattanooga area."

But the roundup started 24 hours earlier, when both men and women were arrested and charged in a prostitution sting.  Royval says, "They posed as prostitutes to be patronized by johns for sex for money, there were 17 arrests in that prostitution sting."

While Chattanooga officers are just cracking down on minor violations, there are also state and federal agents in the area and so far they have served more than 80 arrest warrants.  Royval says, "Kind of put a stop to crime and also to get people that have been on the wanted list or have outstanding warrants."

Royval says so far 44 people have landed behind bars and they hope to catch even more criminals before the operation is over.  "I would think the community would want as many officers around to help their kids be safe, to get the criminal element off the street, it's very important."

Roundups like this take place several times a year in different areas.