24 people arrested in Durham Police Department crime operation

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham Police Department's Special Operations Division arrested 24 people over a week during a sting operation in different parts of the city.

Police said the operation was approved in light of a recent outbreak of violent crime, including a drive-by shooting that killed a 2-year-old girl.

Investigators targeted areas of McDougald Terrace, Cornwallis Road, and the Fayetteville Street corridor. Police said those arrested were linked to various recent crimes including shootings, drug activity, and gun-related offenses.

More than 11 guns were seized, a substantial amount of drugs were confiscated, and a stolen scooter was also recovered.

Two juveniles were charged with carrying concealed guns, possession of firearms by minors, and resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer.

A total of 22 adults were arrested. They range in age from 19 to 45 and face various charges -- not all of which are connected to violent crime. Many of the charges are for carrying a concealed gun or outstanding misdemeanor warrants or even fraud charges.

Karthik Sundaramoorthy was taking his 10-year-old to basketball camp Wednesday at WD Hill Rec Center.

He knew about the activity in and around the Fayetteville Street corridor. He said he believed that not enough has been done for people who are homeless.

"I don't know if an arrest is a relief, I'd rather have this place thriving," he said. "I'd rather have economic growth happening north of 147 happen over here as well."

Sundaramoorthy said he felt like some improvements to Hillside Park and behind the rec center would help as well as improving social and economic conditions for people who are addicted to drugs.

"We need to bring economic growth and need to help the people who live here thrive," he said. "It's a growing pain, we ought to figure out how to solve it. I'd rather focus on the good things happening and all of these other things, I'm not saying pull the violence under the rug."

DPD Lt. Brad Frey said most of the arrests were independent.

"We assure them we're out there, we're working in conjunction with them, take multiple approaches to address these issues whether that be something similar to this operation or the District 4 or District 1 commanders," Frey said. "We're here in partnership and we're committed to addressing the violent crime and finding new ways of addressing it or keep doing what we're doing now.

"We obviously don't orchestrate operations targeted at certain individual or certain demographics," Frey added.

He also spoke to the increasing incidents of juvenile crime.

"Juveniles are frequent violent offenders unfortunately. In this instance there were two arrested ... if we did another similar operation, it could be more," he said.

Durham Police Department said it urged people with information about any violent criminal activity happening in the city to call CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200.

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