Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raids Phoenix auto-parts business; 6 arrested

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raids Phoenix auto-parts business; 6 arrested

by Haley Madden and Chelsey Davis - Jun. 14, 2012 05:49 PM
The Republic-12 News Breaking News Team

Six people were arrested Thursday after a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raid of an auto-parts business in Phoenix.

Deputies raided the business after receiving information in recent months suggesting employees at the business, Auto Fit Inc., were using forged documents to obtain employment, said Jeff Sprong, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

One man, an employee for Auto Fit, 1828 W. Buckeye Road, was detained by deputies on suspicion of attacking a camera man for Telemundo. The camera man was reporting on the raid, Sprong said.

"The media has a tough job to do and no one should physically attack them for doing their job," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Four employees were arrested on suspicion of using fraudulent Social Security numbers, Sprong said. It's unclear why the sixth person was arrested.

The Sheriff's Office believes the employees suspected of committing identity theft to gain employment are illegal aliens.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raids Phoenix auto-parts business; 6 arrested

MCSO conducts 61st employer sanctions raid

Posted: Jun 14, 2012 12:07 PM PDT Updated: Jun 14, 2012 3:30 PM PDT
By FOX 10 News - Staff Report

PHOENIX -
Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies searched for illegal aliens working in valley businesses Thursday afternoon.

Deputies served a search warrant at Autofit near 18th Avenue and Buckeye Road.

The sheriff's office received a tip a few months back that several people had fraudulently obtained employment there.

During the course of the investigation, four suspects were found to be fraudulently using fake Social Security numbers, one of which belonged to a deceased person.

A total of six persons were arrested Thursday at the business. They are all suspected of being in the country illegally.

The business owner was also taken into custody after breaking a camera belonging to a TV news crew.

MCSO conducts 61st employer sanctions raid - FOX 10 News - Phoenix, AZ | KSAZ-TV