Arpaio's deputies arrest 24 at Phoenix business in ID-theft case (Arizona Republic)

Arpaio's deputies arrest 24 at Phoenix business in ID-theft case

by Jolie McCullough - May. 6, 2010 12:54 PM
The Arizona Republic

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputies arrested 24 people at a work-site raid at a business park in west Phoenix.

The deputies began their search for 35 people who are suspected of identity theft at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the business near 48th Avenue and Van Buren Street. They remained on site throughout the morning searching two of the company's buildings, an office and a warehouse.

Arpaio said all of the employees were lined up inside the building and being asked for their identification.

Most of the people arrested were suspected of using false identification, Arpaio said. At least one person, however, was expected to be turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The business, Laser Masters, sells printer cartridges and toner.

Relatives of those who worked at the company stood outside of the building. Josefina Almanzar, who saw her husband Michael, 30, enter the sheriff's arrest bus in handcuffs, began to scream and cry.

Almanzar said she was in the country legally, but would not comment on her husband's status. "They're just here to work," Almanzar said. "They're not here to steal."

Almanzar said she was worried that her whole family might have to move, but she is hopeful that her husband will not be deported. She said he has worked at the company for a while recycling cartridges.

Almanzar's mother and friend tried to comfort her as she cried and yelled at the sheriff, calling him a coward. Her mother, Rosa Valencia, said her nephew worked in the building as well.

This was the Sheriff's Office's 32nd investigation into workplaces, Arpaio said. It began after a tip came into Arpaio's immigration hotline about 6 months ago.

Deputies remained on the site throughout the morning, and more arrests were expected. Deputies were searching two of the company's buildings, an office and a warehouse.

The last 31 investigations resulted in the arrest of 362 illegal immigrants, the Sheriff's Office said. Of those, 231 were suspected of identity theft.