Baltimore — A three-week fugitive warrant sweep led by FBI Baltimore, working with local, state and federal partners, resulted in more than 100 arrests across Maryland and Delaware and the seizure of several firearms, authorities announced Thursday.
Operation details and scope
The surge ran from July 20 to Aug. 5, 2026, and was conducted under the FBI’s “Summer Heat 2.0 Initiative to Combat Violent Crime.” Officials said the effort concentrated on locating and arresting individuals wanted for serious violent offenses.
“These are meaningful results,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “This surge demonstrates the FBI’s unwavering commitment to public safety. Together with our partners, we targeted violent offenders threatening our communities and took decisive action to hold them accountable.”
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley applauded the cooperative effort and said such joint initiatives help drive down violent crime by focusing resources on the most dangerous offenders.
Arrests and offenses by week
Officials released a week-by-week breakdown showing arrests and the types of alleged crimes pursued. The operation unfolded in three primary phases:
- Week 1 — Wilmington, Delaware: 49 arrests and one firearm seized. Arrests included people wanted for robbery, rape, child abuse, sexual assault, strangulation, illegal firearm possession and sexual exploitation.
- Week 2 — Baltimore: 36 arrests and two firearms seized. Authorities targeted suspects with allegations including attempted murder, armed robbery, assault, forcible rape of a minor, sexual assault of a minor, child abuse and cyberstalking.
- Week 3 — Anne Arundel County, Maryland: 24 arrests. Charges among those arrested included assault, rape, sexual abuse of a minor, desertion of a child, reckless endangerment, illegal firearm possession and robbery conspiracy.
| Week | Location | Arrests | Firearms seized |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Wilmington, DE | 49 | 1 |
| Week 2 | Baltimore, MD | 36 | 2 |
| Week 3 | Anne Arundel County, MD | 24 | 0 reported |
Officials stress collaboration
Law enforcement leaders emphasized that the operation depended on collaboration among agencies. Baltimore Police Commissioner Worley highlighted partnerships as a key factor in decreasing violent crime.
“It’s initiatives such as the FBI’s Summer Heat 2.0, where law enforcement agencies collaborate to identify and bring the most violent offenders to justice, that significantly contribute to the continued decrease in violent crime,” Worley said.
Authorities said the arrests removed from the streets people wanted for a range of violent and sexual offenses, including several cases involving minors. The operation also targeted individuals wanted for illegal firearm possession, reflecting an emphasis on both violent acts and weapons offenses.
Community impact and next steps
Officials described the sweep as part of sustained efforts to address violent crime through targeted enforcement. While this operation focused on fugitive apprehension, law enforcement agencies continue to stress a combination of tactics — community engagement, investigations and interagency cooperation — to improve neighborhood safety.
Authorities did not release the names of those arrested Thursday. Further details about individual cases, formal charges and court proceedings are expected to be handled by local prosecutors and will be released in accordance with standard legal processes.
Residents with information about outstanding fugitives or ongoing violent-crime concerns were encouraged to contact their local police departments or the FBI tip line. Officials said tips from the public remain a valuable component of locating and arresting individuals wanted on serious charges.
The latest operation follows a series of multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions in recent years that federal and local agencies say have contributed to declines in certain categories of violent crime, though officials acknowledge challenges remain in addressing persistent neighborhood violence.
As agencies prepare for future coordinated efforts, leaders said they will continue to share resources and intelligence to pursue those who pose the greatest threat to the community.
