Thread: Traffic stop nets 12 illegals

Traffic stop nets 12 illegals

02/21/07
By RAY LIGHTNER

Journal Staff Writer

A traffic stop Sunday night on I-75 landed 12 illegal aliens in jail.

About 10:50 p.m. Perry Police Sgt. Ron Brainard initiated a traffic stop on a green Dodge Caravan for an alleged improper tag, explained Capt. Bill Phelps. Brainard initially saw four persons in the van.

The driver, Arturo Garcia-Lopez, 23, said he was going to Tampa, Fla., and provided a Mexican driver’s license. He was arrested for no insurance and no license, Phelps said.

The other passengers did not have identification, Phelps added.

A second officer, Andrew Borders, responded to assist Brainard. He opened the rear hatch to the van to inventory it, incident to the driver’s arrest and “found eight more Hispanic males, packed in like sardines,” Phelps said, “all illegal.”

Immigration officials were called, Phelps said, and said hold them until they arrive. All 12 were taken to Perry Police headquarters and given cookies and coffee while waiting on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Phelps said Lopez told the others he makes two to three trips a week from Mexico and Florida. “He’s been doing this for a while,” Phelps said.

“I’m surprised Immigration came,” Phelps said, noting in previous stops involving illegals the suspects were cut loose.

“I’m glad to see someone in our government doing something about it,” Phelps said. “We can stop them all day, but if Immigration doesn’t follow up, we’re just wasting our time.”

The 12 are being held without bond a the Houston County Detention Center without bond on charges from Immigration and Customs Enforcement of unlawful entry without inspection for illegally entering the country. The driver also has the local traffic charges.

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/963/p ... 84652.html

A second officer, Andrew Borders, responded to assist Brainard. He opened the rear hatch to the van to inventory it, incident to the driver’s arrest and “found eight more Hispanic males, packed in like sardines,” Phelps said, “all illegal

Gotta love it - Officer Borders helps apprehend 12 illegals!

Deport all them back to Mexico where they belong. No appeals!!!

Phelps said Lopez told the others he makes two to three trips a week from Mexico and Florida. “He’s been doing this for a while,” Phelps said.