Sheriff's ‘Operation Grinch Stop’ Holiday Crackdown Targets Career Criminals

A weeklong crackdown on career criminals in Eastern Hillsborough County resulted in the discovery of two home-based methamphetamine labs, the recovery of five firearms and the filing of 40 charges against 31 suspects, according to a release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Dubbed, “Operation Grinch Stop,” the action was taken to address concerns of
“an uptick in crime during the holidays.” The operation reportedly ran from Dec. 10-16, during which time deputies contacted more than 100 convicted felons and offenders with active criminal warrants, including 25 reported gang members.

“Deputies arrested 31 suspects on 40 charges, including violation of probation, failure to appear, narcotics, grand theft, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, robbery and weapon offenses,” according to the sheriff’s report.

Deputies from District II focused their crackdown in Plant City and the Greater Brandon area of Dover.

Deputies monitored people on probation for burglary, robbery, weapons violations and gang activity. Eight violations of probation charges were filed with the state attorney’s office.

Recovered were four handguns and one shotgun.