Memphis Police Announce Nearly 400 Arrests In 'Operation Winter Freeze II'

Nearly 400 arrests have been made over the last month during Operation Winter Freeze II, a six-week initiative launched by the Memphis Police Department's Organized Crime Unit. On Tuesday (March 23), MPD Director Michael Rallings updated the public on the department's operation aimed at reducing violent crime in the community, WREG reports.

Operation Winter Freeze II was a combined effort between the Organized Crime Unity, the Multi Agency Gang Unit, TACT Unit, and patrol officers that attempted to identify people associated with violent crimes such as homicide, shootings, and aggravated assaults, the news outlet reports.

During the six week investigation, 369 people were arrested, with 146 for felony crimes. Additionally, authorities recovered 74 handguns and 7 long guns as well as 33 vehicles, drugs, and $60,000.

During his announcement Tuesday, Rallings also said that 78 arrests had been made following the "spring break car invasion," where hundreds of cars were driving recklessly throughout Memphis, according to WMC. This two-day event resulted in authorities recovering 10 vehicles and 14 guns. Ten felony arrests were made and more than a dozen citations were given.

"If you're gonna drag race and act a fool, get ready to lose your vehicle," he said. "If you're gonna endanger the lives of Memphians, we're coming after you. We're not going to tolerate it."

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