http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=4395022

Minutemen say Patrols a Success

Mark Stine KOLD News 13 Reporter
Posted: 1-22-06

The January Jamboree is over. The Minutmen say they helped the Border Patrol apprehend 30 illegal immigrants. Making this weekend, for them, a success.

"They crossed the road and went down through the ravine. They went up, you can see, on that open area there." Connie Foust describes what she saw when illegal immigrants were trying to get past the minutemen.

Foust says they had two sightings from her post alone. Once they see the immigrants, they call Border Patrol to report the activity.

"Border Patrol sent out helicopters and they've rounded them up and picked them up and hopefully they're heading back home today," Foust said.

Just down the line, Ron Pendleton also spotted some illegal immigrants. "Right there, all of a sudden they just popped out of there. Nine of them, walked right into us."

Pendleton couldn't believe what happened next. "Lead guy says good afternoon. I said good afternoon to him and they walked about 50 more feet and then they started running."

Pendleton said they called Border Patrol, the agents showed up and took the immigrants away.

"It makes us feel that the Border Patrol is really trying and they are trying," Pendleton said.

"I thanked them because they're doing a wonderful job and they thanked me as well. So it all works out, it's a great team," Mercer told KOLD.

Tucson Minuteman Director, Carmen Mercer says the weekend was a success and you count on the volunteer group to be back. "We will not go away until the borders secured. That's the final message and that's the priority message and that will stay that way."