Police Use Free Xbox 360 Offer to Capture Criminals

A sting operation based around the offer of a free Xbox 360 and other goodies lead to the arrest of 115 fugitives in El Paso, Texas.

The operation, which was conducted by U.S. Marshals and El Paso police, was based on informing fugitives they had won an Xbox 360, a television, or another desirable item. As they voluntarily attempted to claim their prize, they were detained by authorities.

The program specifically targeted those with charges relating to violence, drugs, and illegal entry. In all, 129 warrants were cleared, and $25,686 in traffic fines were collected as well.

"Our goal is to try to keep El Paso safe and arrest as many fugitives as we can," U.S. Marshal supervisor Gerry Payan told El Paso Times.

"We do take these outstanding warrants very seriously and we want to put the resources into getting these people behind bars," said El Paso police chief Richard Wiles.