Arpaio sweep in FH nets 10 more arrests (Arizona Republic)

Arpaio sweep in FH nets 10 more arrests

by JJ Hensley - May. 7, 2008 03:41 PM
The Arizona Republic

FOUNTAIN HILLS - Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies returned Wednesday to Fountain Hills, continuing patrols targeting traffic violators.

Deputies made 20 stops, resulting in 10 arrests: seven men suspected of being in the country illegally; and three of U.S. citizens who were driving with suspended licenses. One of the residents also was arrested on a warrant for failing to appear in court.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a Fountain Hills resident, said the results of the operation were surprising.
"I didn't realize we would get that many illegals in Fountain Hills," Arpaio said. "There have been a lot of complaints to me personally about illegal immigrants hanging around."

But deputies didn't target a group of men standing near a gas station at Desert Vista and Saguaro Boulevard. Instead, they pulled over cars and trucks for civil traffic violations.

Most stops were of older model trucks, with deputies citing cracked windshields, burnt-out taillights, excessive window tinting and obstructed license plates.

When deputies found drivers without identification, they took steps to determine if they were legal residents.

Deputies arrested nine people Tuesday suspected of illegal immigration.