Thread: Sheriff:ARK Arson Victims Fear ICE, Won't Talk

Sheriff: Ark. arson victims fear ICE, won't talk

Last Update: 1/02 9:22 am

BATESVILLE, Ark. (AP) - The victims of three arson incidents in recent weeks have declined to cooperate with investigators because they are illegal immigrants from Guatemala and fear they will be deported, Independence County Sheriff Keith Bowers says.

Investigators said Wednesday they have a suspect, also believed to be a Guatemalan, and believe the arsons stem from a disagreement between the victims and the suspect.

Bowers said in a news release Wednesday that the investigations "have been brought to a standstill, due to the victims of the crimes not cooperating with us."

Two of the fires occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 23 when cars parked in carports at separate homes on the same block were set afire. The other arson occurred Dec. 16, also with a car set afire in a carport.

In one of the Dec. 23 incidents, the fire spread from the car and fully engulfed the house before the Batesville Fire Department could arrive. The residents were not home at the time.

In the other arson that night, firefighters used a chain hooked to a fire truck to drag the burning car clear of the house. The family was evacuated until the blaze was brought under control and their home suffered only minor damage.

Lt. Brenda Bittle, chief investigator for the sheriff's office, said interviews with the victims were scheduled on Dec. 24.

"A phone call from our interpreter came in to Detective Alan Cockrill and (Cockrill) was told the victims would not come into the office and give statements because they are illegal immigrants and felt that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) would take them into custody," Bittle said.

Bittle said the interpreter, a U.S. citizen, was asked to take statement forms to the victims for completion, and bring them back to the sheriff's office.

"As of today, the victims refuse to cooperate with the investigation," Bittle said. "It is believed the victims know the identity of the suspect, but without cooperation, the case has hit a stumbling block."

Information from: Batesville Guard, http://www.guardonline.com/

Associated Press

http://www.fox16.com/news/state/story/S ... QY06g.cspx

When I called the Sheriffs office to offer them a "Tip" in that there were illegal aliens living in their city the lady hung up on me?


Sheriff
Keith Bowers

1750 Meyers Street
Batesville, Arkansas 72501
(870)793-8838

kbowers@independencesheriff.org

Too bad they have to choose between justice with deportation or no justice and maybe no deportation. You know, if they would have kept this feud in Guatemala where it belongs, no choice would need to be made.

I say, turn them into ICE whether or not the co-operate, then send them a bill for the police and fire departments time, equipment and trouble.

"A phone call from our interpreter came in to Detective Alan Cockrill and (Cockrill) was told the victims would not come into the office and give statements because they are illegal immigrants and felt that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) would take them into custody," Bittle said.

They should anyway......and a definate fast track out if they don't help.

Oh well...too bad, so sad. Let them suffer then. When they have to keep spending money to replace those burned out cars, that money they make from a job they stole from an American citizen won't go nearly as far, now will it? I don't feel sorry for them, not one bit.

If they weren't breaking the law in the first place they would have nothing to fear. And if this city wants to let them stay, let them deal with it when illegals won't talk to their cops and help them solve crimes.

Originally Posted by PatrioticMe

Oh well...too bad, so sad. Let them suffer then. When they have to keep spending money to replace those burned out cars, that money they make from a job they stole from an American citizen won't go nearly as far, now will it? I don't feel sorry for them, not one bit.

If they weren't breaking the law in the first place they would have nothing to fear. And if this city wants to let them stay, let them deal with it when illegals won't talk to their cops and help them solve crimes.

point well taken.

cayla99, this argument about being able to report being a crime victim is what Tucson Police always uses as a reason to ignore one's legal status. I feel that if there's a known crime such as an arson fire and the victims won't cooperate, that's more justification to go in there and clean house. The example they always site here is Domestic Violence. Those victims seldom come forward even if they are legal citizens.

I'm sick of my police departments hands off approach. The Illegal Aliens are always exempt from all of our laws. They've published a list of last years murders in Tucson. We set a record for the highest number in a year last year. Most of the murders are unsolved and and most of the victims were Hispanic including a family of three illegals including their 8 year old daughter who were shot in "their" home for unknown reasons and they claim no drugs were found there...

Originally Posted by mapwife

cayla99, this argument about being able to report being a crime victim is what Tucson Police always uses as a reason to ignore one's legal status. I feel that if there's a known crime such as an arson fire and the victims won't cooperate, that's more justification to go in there and clean house. The example they always site here is Domestic Violence. Those victims seldom come forward even if they are legal citizens.

I'm sick of my police departments hands off approach. The Illegal Aliens are always exempt from all of our laws. They've published a list of last years murders in Tucson. We set a record for the highest number in a year last year. Most of the murders are unsolved and and most of the victims were Hispanic including a family of three illegals including their 8 year old daughter who were shot in "their" home for unknown reasons and they claim no drugs were found there...

mapwife,

In the post I think you were referring to, I was being sarcastic and smart mouthed.

If they were not here--they would not be victims in America. Also--the odds are tremendous that the predators are here illegally too. I worry about my country and my fellow citizens. I have long since stopped worrying about the invaders.