Sheriff: Immigrants flee deputies on I-17 north of Valley
Reported by: Deborah Stocks
Email: dstocks@abc15.com
Last Update: 2:50 pm

Anisberto Zenteno Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies picked up more than two-dozen suspected undocumented immigrants along Interstate 17 north of the Valley over the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, 15 people were detained when a deputy stopped a Chevy van with Tennessee plates near Camp Verde, according to a Yavapai County Sheriff's Office report.

The next day, at about 1 p.m., a deputy tried to stop another van.

This one had Oklahoma license plates and was headed north near Cordes Lakes.

The van's windows were painted over, keeping anyone from seeing inside.

As the van slowed, a woman jumped out and was struck by the van.

She was picked up by two males who ran away with her from the scene.

The van continued to move as more passengers ran away.

Four passengers were found inside when the van finally came to a stop.

Deputies found six of the suspected immigrants, including three women.

The woman who jumped from the van was not injured.

All were confirmed to be undocumented immigrants and taken to Camp Verde jail, according to the report.

One man, 49-year-old Anisberto Zenteno, reportedly had a forged Mexican driver's license and was charged with having a false document, resisting arrest and for fleeing the scene.

There were possibly two more passengers who fled but were not found, according to the report.

All immigrants were being held for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Copyright 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


http://www.abc15.com/news/state/story.a ... ff5535ee5f