You idiot
They are "running cover', arrest the small time to let the big time go free.
It gives the "illusion" that the Police are doing the right thing, but it's all BS.
The simple fact is that the Police knew who these guys are, and let them do their thing, usually for many years, until it was "convenient" to arrest them.
The question is Why Now?
Why not 2 years ago, or 3 years ago, or 10 years ago.