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ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Hundreds of fugitives were arrested in Missouri and Illinois during the month-long Operation Patriot Shield.

On Thursday, the United States Attorneys and the United States Marshals for the Southern District of Illinois and the Eastern District of Missouri announced that the regional public safety initiative in June resulted in the arrest of 224 fugitives.

Throughout Operation Patriot Shield, 290 outstanding felony arrest warrants were cleared. Deputy Marshals also reported finding three missing children.

 Operation Patriot Shield is about more than arrests. It is about reclaiming safe communities - freedom from killers, shooters, sex offenders, and drug dealers - so Americans can enjoy the way of life envisioned by our Founders as we celebrate the blessings of liberty on America's 250th anniversary,  said Southern Illinois U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

Since June 3, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri has indicted 35 people for violent crimes, drug crimes and/or gun crimes.

In June, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois indicted 11 defendants for violent crimes, including crimes involving firearms, assault, drugs, and child sexual exploitation.

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