How about a nice bracelet for Valentine's Day? Many wanted residents of Anne Arundel County, Md., got handcuffs Sunday courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office.
"Criminals do not deserve amnesty on Valentine's Day or any other day. After all, victims never get a break," said Sheriff Ron Bateman.
Maryland authorities said they arrested 51 people Sunday thanks to a Valentine's Day sting.
Deputies working undercover called 8,622 residents with unserved warrants and set-up a time for a presumed gift delivery on the big day. Beginning at 9 a.m. -- after a 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. warrant sweep -- deputies pretended to work for a company called "Keystone Candigrams" with the slogan "Just One & You're Hooked."
When officers arrived to deliver "the goods," the suspects were taken into custody.
The individuals were wanted on traffic violations and charges of theft, burglary and assault.
Bateman said about two-thirds of the people who scheduled deliveries were home.
"They scheduled their own arrest," Bateman said.
The sheriff's office has used similar stings in the past to chip away at thousands of unserved warrants. Two years ago, "Flowers by Ron -- With an Arresting Bouquet" lured several wanted individuals with the promise of flowers.
So while the type of sting isn't new, people fall for it every time.
Overall, Sunday's operations netted 51 arrests and cleared 54 warrants. The sheriff's office attempted to serve 98 warrants. Sixteen of the arrests came courtesy of the "candigrams."
