Thread: Tough To Catch: Illegal Immigrant Criminals

http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/06/ ... rants.html

Tough To Catch: Illegal Immigrant Criminals

Reported by: Deb Silverman
Web produced by: Mark Sickmiller
Photographed by: 9News
Last updated: 6/21/2005 11:52:51 PM

The concern is growing in Hamilton that the man accused of raping a nine-year-old girl will never be found.

Police in Hamilton say they've seen suspects in other violent crimes in the area get away.

This is the fourth violent case in six months in this area, all in which police can't find the suspects.

Investigators say there's one thing they all may have in common: the suspects may be illegal immigrants.

The house where the rape happened remained empty Tuesday, vandalized by angry neighbors.

The father of the victim says even his little girl is worried the suspect will never be caught.

"My daughter's scared to death. So is everyone else because there's a sexual predator on the loose running wild," said the father, who 9News is not naming to protect the victim's identity.

Police share that same concern. They've worked around the clock since the crime occurred.

"They've used search warrants, stopped people and tried to gather some good information," said Don Taylor of Hamilton Police.

But even if police get a photo or a name of the suspect, it doesn't mean they'll be able to find that suspect.

Police say this week's rape may be part of a pattern.

There are three other recent violent cases that remain unsolved in Hamilton.

Investigators say all the suspects may be illegal immigrants.

Hamilton police want Antonio Riano for a murder outside of a bar, and Leticia Lopez Valasques and David Cortez are wanted for running over a seven-year-old boy.

Another suspect, Atonio Ramirez, is wanted for raping a woman who lived in his apartment complex.

If they're illegal, it means they have no legal documents and no credit cards, so they can sometimes manage to take off and start a new life, possibly across the border.

Police say many illegal immigrants also have fake IDs, so police might not even know their real names.

Therefore, the suspects' family members in other communities could take them in not even aware that their loved one is wanted by police.

"It's on the news but if they can't speak english they don't know the severity of the crime or what are the details of the crime," Eric Taylor of Hamilton Police told 9News.

This most recent rape case has touched Hamilton Police Officers so much they collected money for a new bike for the little girl.

The suspect may have gotten away on her bike.

Here's the description police offered of the suspect:

* Hispanic male
* Early 20s
* 5'4" to 5'6"
* 130-145 lbs.
* Small goatee
* Short spiky hair
* Goes by Mario
* Tattoo of a bird on left shoulder

If you have any information about this crime, please call Crimestoppers at (513) 352-3040. You don't have to give your name and you may be eligible for a reward if your tips lead to an arrest.

What kind of work was this piece of scum doing?