Thread: RESEARCH: California Border Patrol Recovers Stolen Ballot Bo

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http://www.imperialvalleynews.com/index ... k=view&id=
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California Border Patrol Recovers Stolen Ballot Box

Written by Imperial Valley News

Thursday, 07 February 2008

Indio, California - This week Border Patrol agents detained four individuals
in Mecca, California suspected of being involved in the theft of a voter
ballot box.

At approximately 10 p.m. during a vehicle traffic stop Indio Border Patrol
agents encountered a male driver of a white Ford Thunderbird with three
occupants. El Centro sector dispatch advised the agent that the vehicle
matched the description of one suspected of being involved in a theft near
Coachella as reported by the Riverside County sheriff’s office.

Riverside County sheriff detectives arrived on scene shortly thereafter and
stated that the occupants were suspected of stealing a ballot box used
during yesterday’s primary election. Working in collaboration with the
sheriff’s department, agents were able to contribute information that
ultimately led detectives to an apartment complex. There detectives found
the stolen ballot box and several other suspected stolen items.

“We have an extraordinary working relationship with all area law enforcement
agencies to include the Riverside sheriff’s office, and this is just a
testament to that relationship,â€

Four Arrested in Polling Place Theft

Posted: Feb 6, 2008 01:53 AM

Updated: Feb 9, 2008 05:04 PM

Four people are being questioned in the theft of a ballot box Tuesday night in Thermal.

According to authorities, the victim said four or five men riding in a white Ford Thuderbird drove up to the victim's vehicle as she was about to load her trunk with the ballot box just outside at the Jerry Rummonds Memorial Youth Center in the 87-200 block of Church St. around 9:45 p.m.

The suspects took the box and several contents inside the vehicle away from the poll worker and, then, sped off.

News Channel 3 has learned that some 123 ballots were in the stolen box.

About 25 minutes passed and an agent from the United States Border Patrol stopped a vehicle matching the description at Avenue 62 and Gene Wilmas Road in Mecca.

Investigators from the Indio Sheriff Station responded to Border Patrol's location and were able to identify the four occupants of the vehicle to be the same suspects in the theft. With the assistance of the USBP, Indio investigators were able to locate an apartment complex where the stolen property was taken and most of the stolen property was recovered.

Arrested were Rafael Murua (age 19 of Mecca), Benjamin Pimental (age 19 of North Shore), and two male juveniles. Murua and Pimental were booked into the Indio Jail for Grand Theft. The two juveniles were booked into the Indio Juvenile Hall and booked for Grand Theft.

According to the County of Riverside Registrar of Voter's Office, there were no voted ballots stolen during the incident. All voted ballots are accounted for.

Stay with News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for the latest on this developing story.

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7829169

still digging

Cannot find any info rather their legally here or not.

February 6, 2008
Suspects involved in election theft arrested, no votes were stolen

Mariecar Mendoza
The Desert Sun

Four suspects have been arrested in an election theft on Super Tuesday that happened in front of Jerry Rummonds Memorial youth Center in the 87-200 block of Church Street in Thermal, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Initial reports said that a man stole 123 ballots from an election worker Tuesday night, but Investigator Jerry Franchville now reports “there were no voted ballots stolen during the incident.â€

Press release on Border Patrol site with contact numbers.



Border Patrol in Calif. Recovers Ballot Box Stolen Super Tuesday

(Wednesday, February 06, 200

Indio, Calif. – Last night Border Patrol agents detained four individuals in Mecca, Calif. suspected of being involved in the theft of a voter ballot box.

At approximately 10 p.m. during a vehicle traffic stop Indio Border Patrol agents encountered a male driver of a white Ford Thunderbird with three occupants. El Centro sector dispatch advised the agent that the vehicle matched the description of one suspected of being involved in a theft near Coachella as reported by the Riverside County sheriff’s office.

Riverside County sheriff detectives arrived on scene shortly thereafter and stated that the occupants were suspected of stealing a ballot box used during yesterday’s primary election. Working in collaboration with the sheriff’s department, agents were able to contribute information that ultimately led detectives to an apartment complex. There detectives found the stolen ballot box and several other suspected stolen items.

“We have an extraordinary working relationship with all area law enforcement agencies to include the Riverside sheriff’s office, and this is just a testament to that relationship,â€