Traffic stop leads to arrest of 9 illegal immigrants (WOAI-TX)

Traffic stop leads to arrest of 9 illegal immigrants
Reported by: Melissa Vega
(News 4 WOAI)
Story Published: 6/21/2011 4:24 pm

SAN ANTONIO -- Nine illegal immigrants were arrested during a stolen vehicle stop in South Bexar County Tuesday.

Deputies spotted a suspicious Ford F-250 truck near Loop 1604 and Oak Island around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday. They ran a check on the truck, which showed it had been reported stolen. When the deputies pulled over the truck, around two dozen people jumped out of it and ran. Nine of those were arrested. Investigators said they believe all nine are illegal immigrants.

An official with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said they have found a lot of three-quarter ton and ton trucks in the area, and officers are on the lookout for them. He also said they have seen a tremendous amount of illegal immigrant activity in the area. "They steal them from Austin down to San Antonio, the I-35 corridor, and they bring them to the border and they use them primarily to transport other folks back across the border," said Sgt. Alfred Damiani.

Officials are asking people in the area to report any vehicles going off into isolated areas or going through fences or people taking seats and other items out of the vehicles.

All nine illegal immigrants were taken into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.