March 29, 2024
Archive

Police turn man over to customs officers

ELLSWORTH – A local police officer answering a report of a car off the road early Tuesday morning encountered a suspected illegal immigrant and turned him over to customs officials.

Sergio Rodrigues, no age given, was driving a 1997 Chevy Cavalier north on Route 1A when he lost control on slick roads and ended up in a ditch, according to reports.

Ellsworth police Officer Glenn Moshier went to the scene, and when he spoke to Rodrigues about the incident, he discovered the man didn’t speak English.

Moshier asked to see his license and Rodrigues provided Brazilian identification. The officer then asked Rodrigues if he was in the country illegally and the man admitted that he was, Moshier’s report stated.

The officer contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and an agent took custody of Rodrigues. He likely will be held pending a deportation hearing.

The vehicle, which had about $6,000 in damage, Moshier estimated, was towed away.

Ellsworth has seen a string of suspected illegal immigrants detained recently within city limits.

In December 2006, three men were arrested after a routine traffic stop.

Last August, a van without proper plates was stopped in Ellsworth, resulting in the arrest of five Mexican migrant workers.

In that same month, firefighters going to the scene of an unpermitted burn discovered 15 suspected illegal immigrants living at a residence on Water Street.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like