Sheriff's Police Go After Deadbeat Parents Before Father's Day
(CBS) – One million dollars – that's how much several deadbeat dads in Chicago owe for child support.
The Cook County sheriff's department went after the 75 suspects heading into Father's Day weekend.
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli went along for the ride as they rounded up some of the suspects.
With guns at their side and bullet-proof vests on their chests, the men and women of the Cook County Sheriff's Central Warrants unit were up early, walking through gangways and knocking on windows.
Some of the men have been running for years. They're not always easy to find.
The message police are trying to send?
"People need to become accountable for their children," Deputy Sgt. Jennifer Moore said.
They did it one arrest at a time. Some collars were riskier than others.
Police dogs and armed officers were brought in to ensure that suspects surrender without a fight.
"You never know what is going to happen when you are taking away someone's freedom, whether its criminal, civil or anything. You always have to be prepared," Moore says.
As of last check, sheriff's police have arrested 25 men owing a combined total of nearly $400,000.
