State police conduct warrant roundup in Somerset Co

People wanted for crimes in Somerset County were rounded up today as state police even went beyond the county borders to bring those suspects to jail.

State police in Somerset got to work early Wednesday morning as they arrested several people who they said were wanted for crimes ranging from traffic violations to drug charges and thefts.  They said it was the first operation like it in Somerset in at least six years.

Police traveled to several surrounding counties on Wednesday where they picked up people wanted in connection with offenses in Somerset County.

"Today nine individuals were placed into custody," said Eric Bowser, a trooper with the Somerset State Police. "It was very effective and it's going to be conducted again."

Some of the individuals had outstanding bench warrants for not showing up to court hearings and they were taken straight to the county jail. The others were transported to a local magistrate to be arraigned, including a few who voluntarily turned themselves in.

"State police put it together within the past couple of weeks and they've been communicating with my office making sure that the warrant lists were accurate and consistent with one another," said Somerset County District Attorny Lisa Lazzari- Strasiser. "I think it was an aggressive, professionally done roundup this morning."

Lazzari-Strasiser said the main reason police conducted the roundup is because there are too many outstanding warrants in the county.

"There's probably a warrant on a case as old as 2004 that they picked up a person on," said Lazzari-Strasiser. "We just need to clean up cases that are languishing."

Due to the success police had on Wednesday, they said they plan on conducting more warrant roundups in the near future. That's why the district attorney said if you have a warrant, it's better to come forward.

"If you turn yourself in, there's a chance that you don't go to jail," said Lazzari-Strasiser. "If you don't and you're picked up, even if it's in another jurisdiction, you may very well be lodged in another county jail and await transport."

Some of the people were arraigned and released, others are now behind bars. Police said they all had the chance to turn themselves in ahead of time