Sex offenders closely watched in Dec.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - One person was arrested and thousands of license plates were scanned in a month-long sex offender project undertaken by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in December, the department announced Tuesday.

The department used federal grants to pay deputies overtime to patrol the county looking for sex offenders breaking the law. In the process, 22,464 license plates were scanned and 73 sex offenders were discovered frequenting area malls.

Sheriff’s deputies also found 42 people wanted on warrants based on vehicles discovered at area malls, and one person was arrested for a sex offender violation.

"The deputies that make up the Sex Offender Registry Unit worked long, hard hours over the holiday season to keep tabs on sexual and violent offenders in high traffic areas drawing children and families. Knowing the whereabouts of these individuals and keeping track of suspicious activity helps to prevent incidents from occurring," said Marion County Sheriff John Layton in a news release.