CHICAGO (AP) - More than 35,000 fugitives have been captured as part of a monthlong national operation that targeted violent criminals, gang members and sex offenders.

At a news conference Thursday morning, federal officials in Chicago said the number is a record for the so-called "Operation Falcon," which has been conducted annually since 2005.

They say 19,000 fugitives were captured during the operation last year.

This year, the roundup included about 430 people wanted for murder, about 900 suspected gang members and about 2,350 suspected sex offenders.

The U.S. Marshals Service credits the dramatic jump to cooperation among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)