CBP arrested 98 fugitives at Chicago airports in the last six months

Authorities are stepping up their operations to intercept wanted criminals. In recent months, law enforcement in Chicago has managed to arrest almost 100 people serving time pending or accused of committing crimes at one of the country's main entry and exit points: airports.

Through a release, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that they proceeded to arrest 98 offenders at checkpoints at O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, both located in the “sanctuary city” of Chicago.

The arrests were carried out since the beginning of the current fiscal period, which began on Oct. 1, 2024. Once intercepted, the arrestees were transferred to local police stations for processing.

LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of CBP Field Operations in Chicago, said they were able to track down the fugitives wanted for "serious felonies" through collaboration among different law enforcement agencies and through shared systems, such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

"Customs and Border Protection officers encounter all types of travelers entering and exiting the United States, including travelers wanted for the alleged commission of serious atrocity crimes. CBP continues to work with our law enforcement partners to help apprehend dangerous fugitives so they can face justice," she said.

Among the crimes for which the arrested fugitives were wanted or convicted include homicide, evasion, money laundering, robbery, narcotics trafficking, child sexual abuse, fraud, theft and military desertion.

Of the 98 arrested, 18 were women and 80 men, whose ages ranged between 17 and 64.