On February 10th, 2021 the Whitehall Division of Police conducted a crime blitz within the City of Whitehall. Over the course of the eight-hour blitz officers made fifteen arrests. Officers recovered two occupied stolen vehicles, four guns (three of which were entered stolen), two felony drug possession arrests, numerous felony warrant arrests (3 of which were for Aggravated Robbery and one was for Escape). Other arrests and charges include OVI, Reckless Operation, Receiving Stolen property (motor vehicle), Receiving Stolen property (firearm), Improper Handling of a Firearm in a vehicle, Obstructing, Falsification, and Possession of Marijuana. Further charges could be pending in regards to other open investigations by Detectives.
In the below pictures officers approached a stolen vehicle with three occupants. The driver of the vehicle had a clearly visible handgun beside him, a passenger had a handgun in his waistband and another passenger had a handgun at his feet. Officers were able to de-escalate the situation and safely arrest all parties involved.
Deputy Chief Kelso stated, “This operation was a combined effort of our Detectives and Patrol Officers to be proactive in fighting crime. These arrests contributed to our goal of improving the overall quality of life for the citizens of Whitehall as well as surrounding cities.”