Published: Dec. 28, 2010
Updated: 10:57 a.m.

8-10 people spotted fleeing small boat

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTERNext Article »1
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NEWPORT BEACH – About eight to 10 people were seen running from a boat this morning as it made its way to shore along Crystal Cove, authorities said.

Police searched for the passengers of the small craft and sheriff's deputies searched the area with the help of a helicopter, but the passengers aboard have not been found, said Lt. Jeff Brouwer of the Newport Beach Police Department.

The small open boat, which is believed to be carrying people entering the country illegally, was found at about 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, officials said.

"It looks like it had been there for some time," Brouwer said.

Officers with the Newport Beach Police Department found several life jackets and wet clothes strewn about along the sand, he said.

"Looks like some people scattered in different directions," he said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department was asked to assist by searching the area with their helicopter, said Lt. Jim England of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Officials also sent their Harbor Patrol to search the waters around the boat.

A witness who stopped in the area told officers he saw eight to 10 people running from the boat in different directions, Brouwer said.

With tighter security measures along the border, law enforcement officials have been seeing an increase in maritime smuggling this year. Several incidents have been reported along Orange County's southern cities this year, including Dana Point, San Clemente and Laguna Beach, but Tuesday's incident occurred at one of the most northern points in the county so far.

On Aug. 30, deputies in San Clemente discovered a fishing boat carrying several people just north of the pier. In June, ICE officials took 17 people into custody after they were spotted disembarking from a panga boat and running toward a van.

And in April, 23 people were taken into custody on suspicion of entering the country illegally after deputies tried to intercept a boat.
Some maritime incidents have also been reported near jetties in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, Brouwer said.

Local officials have contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who will be taking custody of the 15 to 20 foot boat, he said.

Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361

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