Teams of Manteca Police officers used a list of more than 100 alleged DUI offenders who had either failed to answer charges or who didn’t show up for jail time following court convictions.
A dozen officers in pairs of two knocked on doors all day finding some houses empty and others where occupants said the suspect did not live at the residence.
The sweep was part of the state Office of Traffic Safety campaign that Manteca Police first entered into in October of last year. Sergeant Nick Obligacion said many of the men had been recently cited for driving with a suspended license following a DUI charge.
Eight were arrested — three for failing to report to jail — and five for failing to answer their charges in court. Those who skipped showing up for a jail term were arrested with a strong no bail mandate and were transported to San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp.
In the other cases the bail amounts ranged from $5,000 to $20,000. It was unclear whether the county jail would release them because of the overcrowding situation.