Sheriff: Half Of Suspected Undocumented Immigrants In Van Escape
Feb 28, 2008
A sheriff's deputy stopped a van loaded with suspected undocumented immigrants Thursday near Lake Elsinore, but about half the two dozen people got away, a sheriff's investigator said.

The deputy stopped the van in the area of Lime and Orchard streets in the Sedco Hills community shortly after 2 p.m., said Jerry Franchville, investigator with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The deputy said it seemed as though the van's driver was intoxicated, Franchville said.

"When the van came to a stop, the back door opened and people started running out," said Franchville.

The deputy called for assistance to hold the suspected illegal aliens and also called for Border Patrol agents to come and determine their status, Franchville said.

Twelve were caught but the rest fled.

It was not clear whether the driver was one of those apprehended.

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