SALISBURY — The recent arrest of a local man on a federal weapons charge was the result of a joint task force targeting the most violent offenders in Rowan County, authorities said.

Dallas Labron Davis, 45, was arrested and charged Monday as the result of a partnership among the Salisbury Police Department, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Authorities are still looking for 25-year-old Malcom Raheem Toomer, who authorities say may be in the Lexington area.

Toomer, like Davis, is wanted for possession of a firearm by a felon. Toomer is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.

Police Lt. Greg Beam said the task force was formed in last spring after some violent activity — specifically some shootings that occurred in 2016.

Beam said the good thing about having federal agencies involved in the joint task force is the stricter sentences that could result for the accused, if convicted.

The hope is that it will reduce some of the crimes that are being committed in the community. The suspects that the task force is targeting are some of the most violent offenders, Beam said.

“Hopefully by getting these people off the street, it will make our city, county a whole lot safer,” he said.

He said investigations will remain the same but they will have the help and resources of the federal agencies.

Davis, who was arrested at 806 S. Long St. in East Spencer, has since been released from the Rowan County Detention Center and is in the custody of federal authorities. He will appear before a federal magistrate.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Malcom Toomer is asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or Salisbury-Rowan CrimeStoppers at 866-639-5245.

Tips may also be submitted online at tips.salisburyrowancrimestoppers.org or through the Salisbury Police Department’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SalisburyPoliceDepartment.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.