If anything, illegals know how to save on travel ....


ReporterNews

Train stowaways taken into custody in Merkel

By Brian Bethel (Contact)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Five people believed to be illegal immigrants stowing away on a train traveling through Merkel from California were taken into custody Wednesday, with more believed to be still at large.

Railroad officials "suspected there were some illegal aliens riding in some containers on the train," said Merkel Police Chief Bob Jones. "I was tied up at the time, but they got some other authorities in there, and they got five illegal aliens caught and expect there to be some more."

As many as six more illegal immigrants were thought to be on the train, judging by the amount of baggage present, Jones said.

"One of them ran off, but I think it was five that they got in the container," he said. "They suspect maybe five more ran off."

Seals broken on the containers provided a clue to Union Pacific officials that someone was using them to stow away, Jones said.

"Either someone broke into them, or there was someone riding in them," Jones said.

The train was going to be stopped in Abilene to be checked again to make sure no one had managed to get back on. Another train was going to be checked in Tye, he said.

"It's just something that happens," Jones said of the incident.

Texas Department of Public Safety Senior Trooper Sparky Dean said that Merkel's Police Department requested assistance from other agencies, and that DPS personnel showed up to help.

"We assist anytime we have manpower available," Dean said. "We rely on each other."

KTXS-TV reported that U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement was called in to help with the search and now has custody of the five people.

http://reporternews.com/news/2007/aug/2 ... in-merkel/