----- people wanted on outstanding charges in Memphis and Shelby County were arrested in a community-wide effort by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Bureau. Officers spent the past 24 hours converging on selected neighborhoods in Memphis Shelby County to arrest fugitives.

“We have thousands of outstanding warrants on file at the Fugitive Bureau. I commend the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Bureau and the other bureaus of the Sheriff’s Office that assisted in this round-up. We want to send a clear message to those wanted on charges: Turn yourselves in or expect a visit by Deputies,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Deputies were assisted by the Mid-South Fugitive Task Force, comprised of United States Marshals, Sheriff’s Deputies and a Memphis Police Officer. David Jolley, the United States Marshal for West Tennessee, says the collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies is a major step to bring fugitives to justice. “We appreciate the partnership we have with Sheriff Luttrell and his staff. This fugitive round-up clearly shows what may be accomplished when law enforcement agencies partner to help keep our community safe,” said Marshal Jolley.

Although crime in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Districts has decreased about 8% when compared to the same time last year, neighborhoods in North, South-East and Cordova experienced a surge in home burglaries, larcenies and other crimes. Officers targeted fugitives in those areas during the round-up.

Demarious Tuggle

One of those arrested, Demarious Tuggle, 19, was wanted by the Memphis Police Department for Criminal Attempt Second Degree Murder. On January 23rd, he shot a victim in the leg and stomach in the Graceland Farms area of Whitehaven. The victim continues to recover from the injuries. Tuggle was arrested about 2:30 this morning at the Danville Square apartments at 3235 East Danville, #10, in South-East Memphis.

Here are the results of the round-up.

• Grand total of arrests: 47
• Felony 8
• Misdemeanor 39
• Arrests made in North Shelby County yesterday evening: 23
• Arrests in South-East Shelby County last night and early this morning: 13
• Arrests in the Cordova area today: 11
• Total warrant visits made by Deputies and task force members: 47

Almost 175 Deputies and support personnel from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive, SWAT, Gang, Civil/Levy, Traffic, D.U.I., Narcotics, Crime Prevention, Patrol, Reserves and Emergency Services bureaus were involved in the round-up.