A FIST for Fugitives

JUSTICE

U.S. Attorney General William French Smith called it "the largest and most successful fugitive man hunt in U.S. history." The description seemed no exaggeration: over the past two months, more than 3,000 career criminals in eight East Coast states have been arrested for offenses ranging from murder to narcotics to weapons violations. The top-secret operation, called FIST 7, followed six similar dragnets conducted by the Justice Department's Federal Investigative Strike Teams program launched in 1979.

Authorities used elaborate scams to smoke out the wiliest fugitives. In New York City, a "Brooklyn Bridge Delivery Service" mailed invoices to criminals' last known addresses, advising that packages were being held for them. When suspects telephoned to ask what their boxes contained, they were given a description of items tailored to their interests. One rapist, for example, was told that a package held adult toys and pornographic material. When the suspect agreed to take the parcel, the "delivery man" showed up with back-up arrest units.

The only sour note in FIST 7 was struck by the courts. Since the operation began Sept. 20, said Attorney General Smith, judges have released about half of those arrested.