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POLICE BRIEFS
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 03/1/07


Illegal immigrants held after crash

MANCHESTER: Police investigated a motor-vehicle accident at Routes 70 and 539 on Sunday that led to the holding of a dozen illegal immigrants and a driver with $5,000 cash.

A 2002 Ford F150 driven by John Coakley, 43, of Monmouth Junction was traveling west on Route 70 when it was struck from behind by a 1993 Chevy Suburban with a driver and 12 passengers.

The Suburban was driven by Benjamin Moreno, 25, of Phoenix.

During the investigation by Patrolman Michael Terranova, it was discovered that the 12 occupants were undocumented immigrants from Mexico, according to a release by Sgt. Glenn Murphy. The occupants were taken to the Police Department along with Moreno, Murphy said.

Moreno had $5,000 in cash in his possession, police said. The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau was contacted in response to the investigation, Murphy said. The 13 people, Moreno and his 12 passengers, were turned over to the customs unit for further investigation.

Moreno was also given a summons for careless driving.

Margaret F. Bonafide