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17 Illegal Immigrants Arrested In Wheeling

By BETHANY A. ROMANEK Staff Writer
Feb 5, 2007

WHEELING — What began as a routine response to a traffic accident early this morning landed 17 illegal immigrants in jail.

At 2 a.m. today at 10th and Main streets, Wheeling police officers arrived at a crash involving two vehicles. At that time, they found 17 people including a driver, inside a white 1999 Chevy van. None of the people in the vehicle claimed to be able to speak English.

“An Ohio County deputy sheriff who can speak Spanish was called to the scene,” said Sgt. John Wroten. “Deputy Chester Bise was able to tell they are Mexican nationals in the United States illegally.”

Wroten said the 17 individuals ranging in ages 19 to 43 were transported to police headquarters for processing. The Immigration and Custom Enforcement Agency out of Pittsburgh, Pa., was then notified.

“The agent there wanted them held in the Northern Regional Jail,” said Wroten.

Jill Coulling, 20, Wheeling, was the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash. Both vehicles sustained front end damage.

“Once they were brought to headquarters and transported to the Northern Regional Jail, the federal government takes it from there, and I assume they will come and take them sometime today,” Wroten said.

The NRJ lists the following as illegal immigrants arrested today:

∫ Condelario Barragan;

∫ Cesar Castillo;

∫ Roberto Martinez;

∫ Norberto Ortiz

∫ Joaquin Barragan;

∫ Feliciano Ortega;

∫ Abraham Perez;

∫ Benjamin Valdez;

∫ Pedro Juarez;

∫ Pedro Garcia;

∫ Edilberta Mena;

∫ Esteban Mendez;

∫ Martin Chico;

∫ Obdulia Perez;

∫ Angelica Perez;

∫ Marina Robriguez;

∫ Olivia Contreras.