Friday, April 27, 2007


26 illegal aliens found in Glendale home

By Elizabeth Jackman
A police officer responding to a call of a suspected ‘chop shop' instead uncovered a drop house with 26 illegal aliens.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. April 19, a call came in reporting an SUV chop in the backyard of a home at the corner of 65th Drive and Sweetwater Avenue.

When the officer arrived he peaked in the backyard and there were no cars, so he knocked on the front door.

He began questioning the people who answered, but did not want to talk with him and shut the door, police spokesperson Matt Barnett said.

The officer went to talk to a neighbor and noticed several people walking by who he recognized as the occupants who had answered the door.

“The officer who spoke fluent Spanish began questioning them and they admitted to being illegals and said they were being held against their will,” Barnett said. “At that point the officer called for more units.”

A perimeter was set up around the home, and both the SWAT team and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) were called to the scene.

“They continued knocking on the door with no answer until they finally went to the back of the home where the door was open and 23 more people came out,” Barnett said. “In total there were 26, two females and 24 males.”

An AR (alternative response) van was sent out from the Surprise Fire Department who took the illegal aliens to ICE offices.

“We found no coyotes, weapons, or drugs,” Barnett said. “It was a beautiful 3,500 square foot home on a horse property and they appeared to have been well treated. ICE is continuing the investigation.”

http://www.glendalestar.com/articles/20 ... news05.txt