By Brad Segall

BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) — Bensalem police were out very early this morning, rounding up people with outstanding arrest warrants.

Armed with nearly four dozen arrest warrants, police and state constables went knocking on doors looking for people wanted for a variety of crimes.

Under cover of darkness they arrested 17 people for crimes that included burglary, aggravated assault, forgery, drug distribution, and DUI.

Bensalem police sergeant Andy Aninsman of the special victims unit says more than 80 warrants are still active in Bensalem, and he had some advice for fugitives from justice.

“It’s much easier for you to turn yourself in rather than us coming after you, because your penalties are going to be more severe if we have to find you.  So if you’re going to do the crime, turn yourself in.”

All 17 people taken into custody today were arraigned before a magisterial judge.  Fifteen were sent to the Bucks County Prison, one was released with unsecured bail, and one posted ten percent cash bail.

This was the second phase of warrant arrests as police try to get alleged criminals off the streets.