C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Man Wanted in California

(Wednesday, November 26, 2008)

Niagara Falls, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the apprehension of a United States permanent resident wanted in California for identity theft, burglary and grand theft.

CBP officers at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls, New York, received notification Wednesday from Canada Border Services Agency that Mohammad Mohammadi, a 28-year-old native of Afghanistan with lawful permanent resident status in the United States, was being removed from Canada and returned to the United States. Mohammadi was encountered in Canada by the Toronto Metro Police in late October during a routine stop. Record checks by Canadian authorities revealed the possibility of an active warrant in the United States.

Upon his return to the United States, CBP officers conducted additional records checks, including electronic fingerprint queries, which revealed that Mohammadi was the subject of two felony warrants. Mohammadi is wanted in Alameda County, Calif. on charges of probation violation, and in Fremont, Calif. on six counts of burglary, one count of grand theft, and five counts of identity theft. Bail was set at $1 million for the second arrest warrant. He advised CBP officers that he entered Canada sometime in August to visit his sick mother.

CBP officers then verified the validity of the warrants and confirmed extradition. Mohammadi was arrested and turned over to the custody of the Niagara Falls Police department pending extradition to California.

“This arrest demonstrates the continued cooperation among various U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies, as well as CBP officers due diligence in apprehending wanted criminalsâ€