Deputies hit Peoria car wash in sanctions raid

Jeffrey Javier - Oct. 17, 2009 01:50 PM
The Arizona Republic .

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office arrested nine people Saturday after serving a search warrant at a Peoria car wash in an employer-sanctions case.

At 8:20 a.m., deputies arrived at the On Your Way Carwash and Quick Lube near 91st and Northern avenues to search for five suspected illegal immigrants, said Aaron Douglas, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies did not find the suspects but arrested nine suspected illegal immigrants, two of which were booked on fraudulent documents, a Class 4 felony. The remaining seven were turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Douglas said the investigation is ongoing to find the other suspects.

The search warrant was served in conjunction with the current crime sweep that's taking place in Surprise. Sheriff Joe Arpaio was expected to hold a press conference at 7 p.m. Saturday.

In Friday's crime sweep, 34 suspects were arrested, nine of whom were suspected illegal immigrants. Of the nine, six were turned over the ICE and the remaining three were booked on state charges.

Douglas said he didn't know the specific charges.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/peor ... id-ON.html