3 of 4 illegals caught after lengthy search (Daily Commercial)

3 of 4 illegals caught after lengthy search
1 charged with human smuggling
BRAD BUCK
Staff Writer
published: Friday, September 17, 2010

WILDWOOD -- Authorities captured three illegal aliens, and one remained at large Thursday after they escaped from the Okahumpka Service Plaza on Florida's Turnpike.

One suspect is being charged by the U.S. Border Patrol with human smuggling, police said.

The suspects, identified by police as Hispanic men, were in a 2000 Dodge Durango SUV with a Kansas tag, said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Jorge Delahoz. FHP troopers pulled the suspects over at the plaza about 2:30 a.m. Thursday, determined that they were illegal aliens and detained them for the border patrol to pick up, Delahoz said.

As the four suspects saw the border patrol van entering the plaza, two fled on foot from the scene, Delahoz said. Two were caught almost immediately by FHP troopers, said Wildwood police Capt. Paul Valentino.

Wildwood police were called about 6 or 7 a.m. Thursday, said Chief E.W. Reeser. About 7:30 a.m., a Wildwood officer arrested Edwardo Gonzalez Rosales, identified by his Mexican driver's license, who allegedly drove the SUV. Rosales was charged by the border patrol with human smuggling, Valentino said.

Authorities did not have the identities of the other two suspects Thursday. They also said none of the four suspects faces state charges.

Investigators thought they had the at-large suspect narrowed to an area around U.S. Highway 301 and State Road 44.

Wildwood police went door-to-door in Parkwood Manor, a retirement neighborhood, asking for information about the fugitive, Reeser said.

Sumter County sheriff's officials also used police dogs and a helicopter to search for the suspect. Officials with Sumter Correctional Institution also sent their police dogs to help with the search.

As of Thursday afternoon, police said they thought the at-large suspect, identified as Sebastian Perez Gomez, was somewhere in the area of County Road 501, near the Turnpike. He is wanted by the Border Patrol on a charge of illegal immigration, Valentino said.