Updated: 10:16 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013 | Posted: 10:12 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013

Twelve illegal immigrants turned over to U.S. Border Patrol

Police told 16 people on board boat.

By David Rogers
Daily News Staff Writer

Palm Beach police arrested 12 illegal immigrants at around 5:40 a.m. Monday near the Bath & Tennis Club but four eluded capture, police said.

Members of the group — five women and seven men — are believed to be from Haiti and the Bahamas. They came ashore in an approximately 35-foot boat, according to Sgt. Tom Melnichok. The individuals were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol, he said.

Police received a call from an employee at the Bath and Tennis Club who said there appeared to be wet but fully clothed individuals running on the beach near the club in the 1100 block of South Ocean Boulevard, said Sgt. Melnichok. Border Patrol, Homeland Security and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office were notified.

Seven immigrants were soon found between Algoma Road and the Atlantic Ocean and were detained at the club, police said. Police searched the area for the next 2 1/2 hours and were able to locate five more immigrants, he said.

Sgt. Melnichock said those arrested told police that there were 16 immigrants on board, but the remaining four have not been apprehended. “They’re more than likely gone,” he said.

The boat the immigrants traveled in was beached and Border Patrol has since removed it.
In August, a teenage Haitian immigrant died trying to make it to shore and nine others were taken into custody after arriving on the North End. An autopsy released earlier this month stated the woman died from an accidental drowning.


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