Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raids Phoenix auto-parts business; 6 arrested

by Haley Madden and Chelsey Davis - Jun. 14, 2012 05:49 PM
The Republic-12 News Breaking News Team

Six people were arrested Thursday after a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raid of an auto-parts business in Phoenix.

Deputies raided the business after receiving information in recent months suggesting employees at the business, Auto Fit Inc., were using forged documents to obtain employment, said Jeff Sprong, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

One man, an employee for Auto Fit, 1828 W. Buckeye Road, was detained by deputies on suspicion of attacking a camera man for Telemundo. The camera man was reporting on the raid, Sprong said.

"The media has a tough job to do and no one should physically attack them for doing their job," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Four employees were arrested on suspicion of using fraudulent Social Security numbers, Sprong said. It's unclear why the sixth person was arrested.

The Sheriff's Office believes the employees suspected of committing identity theft to gain employment are illegal aliens.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office raids Phoenix auto-parts business; 6 arrested