22 fugitives nabbed in annual Valentine’s Day raids

In an annual Valentine's Day roundup, regional law-enforcement officials arrested 22 fugitives wanted on outstanding warrants in a series of early morning raids today.

For 15 years, the Feb. 14 raids have focused in part on people who owe child support or are accused of domestic abuse, said Philadelphia Sheriff Jewell Williams, following the parading of handcuffed individuals - two women and more than a dozen men - into the Family Court building at 18th and Vine Streets.

One man loudly complained, while walking past officers and reporters, that he was being locked up "for restitution." He declined to explain further.

Others taken into custody are accused of robbery, burglary, armed assault and drug trafficking, Williams said.

The roundup, which began at 2:30 a.m., was carried out by Philadelphia police officers and sheriff's deputies, and sheriff's deputies from the Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks counties, officials said.

"Crime is everyone's business today," Williams said. ". . . If you know anyone who is hiding in your neighborhood, feel free to call the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office, 215-686-3578 and we promise not to reveal your name, but we will do our best to follow up on any leads or tips."

Today's arrests represent just a fraction of the workload of the sheriff's office, which handles cases that come out of the courts, Williams said.

With about 2,900 people facing outstanding warrants in the city, arrests are made every day, he said.

Two drug-sniffing dogs were also used in the raids, but no contraband or illegal weapons were confiscated, Williams said.