Mexican farm workers detained following crash (Johnstown Daily American)

Mexican farm workers detained following crash

By JUDY D.J. ELLICH
Daily American Staff Writer

Two men who authorities believe are illegal immigrants from Mexico were arraigned Tuesday afternoon on charges of stealing a vehicle and crashing it into a tree in Brothersvalley Township.

Feliciano Peres Alvarez, 22, and Eleazar Alvarez, 21, both of whom resided along Glades Pike, took the vehicle parked at the Hillegass Farm and drove into Berlin to purchase beer and pizza at about 11 p.m. Monday, according to state police.

While traveling through town, the men got lost and crashed the vehicle. There was severe damage to the front end of the 1996 Jeep Cherokee and the passenger’s side of the windshield was shattered, according to a report.

The two men walked to Coalfield Mini Market in Berlin to wait for a ride back to the farm where they work, police said. Berlin police arrived, noticed that one man had head injuries and called for Berlin ambulance to transport them to Somerset Hospital. They were treated for injuries and then arrested on the theft charges.

The men were obviously confused about the arraignment process. Somerset District Judge Arthur K. Cook obtained an interpreter by telephone at the hearing.

Feliciano Peres Alvarez said several times, “I want to go back to my people,” during the arraignment, according to the interpreter. When told they had the right to be represented by an attorney and they were allowed one telephone call each, he repeated several times, “I don’t know any lawyers.”

Feliciano Peres Alvarez is charged with theft, unauthorized use of an automobile and several related summary charges that include driving without a license, driving on the wrong side of the road and damaging the vehicle.

Eleazar Alvarez is charged with conspiracy to commit the same offenses.

They were placed in Somerset County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond each. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1 for both men.

According to the state police, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services was notified and will take custody of the men once the case is finished.