Thread: IL-13 arrested in restaurant raid (updated)

13 arrested in restaurant raid



March 25, 2010

BY CHRISTIN NANCE LAZERUS

Thirteen people were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Schererville's Paragon Restaurant on U.S. 30 and at an undisclosed residence on Wednesday morning.

About 8 a.m., agents executed a federal search warrant at the restaurant as part of an investigation. Paragon owner Michael McClellan said customers were escorted outside and the restaurant was closed for the day.

An empty parking lot and a hand-lettered sign indicated the restaurant's closed status.

McClellan said he couldn't confirm how many employees were among those detained. He said he plans to reopen the restaurant on Friday.

Gail Montenegro, spokeswoman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the searches were part of an ongoing criminal work site enforcement investigation. She did not disclose the location of the residence.

"Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, no further information can be disclosed at this time," Montenegro wrote in an e-mail.

McClellan said he turned over some paperwork to federal agents.

McClellan said he bought the restaurant about 16 months ago and he's tried to resolve some of the problems.

"Apparently some of the issues are still here," McClellan said. "It's a sad day for us. The hardest thing for a business owner to do is turn away paying customers."


http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/2121 ... 25.article