A major crackdown on violent fugitives in D.C. has led to the arrest of a man wanted for assaulting a police officer with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), officials announced. Gerard Stokes, 30, was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in Greenbelt, Maryland, last Saturday as part of the operation dubbed Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful, a push to enhance public safety in the capital.
According to details from the U.S. Marshals press release, Stokes was wanted by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for felony assault linked to a March incident involving an ATV at a gas station near 14th St. and U St. NW; the encounter escalated, Stokes allegedly directed his ATV at the officers, hitting one and dragging them across the parking lot, an action that led to significant injuries for the officer who to this day has not yet returned to full duty and the search of Stokes's home in July led to the discovery of various firearms and ammunition which further aligned him with violent criminal activity.
Demonstrating the strategy's effectiveness, Director of the U.S. Marshal Service Gadyaces S. Serralta highlighted the impact of the initiative, saying, “This apprehension during this public safety surge proves that we are making a difference by getting ruthless and dangerous criminals off the street." He emphasized the cooperative efforts of law enforcement during this crime emergency, stating, “By increasing the number of law enforcement professionals we are able to carry out the orders of the President and make DC safe and beautiful again. The cooperative effort during this crime emergency proves that criminals have no safe place here in our nations Capital. We are a unified force intent on making our Capital the best in the world,” as noted by the U.S. Marshals.
Since its inception in 2004, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force has been instrumental in mitigating public safety threats, focusing on the identification and apprehension of those wanted for severe crimes in the National Capital Region, the Task Force has been dedicated to ensure Justice, Integrity, and Service for all, and their work continues to be a key component in the fight against violence and notorious offenses in the D.C. area.
