Posted on 06/30/2004 8:23:16 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES - Police investigating a report of a kidnapping found 27 suspected illegal immigrants who had been held by smugglers at a small hotel.
Authorities were tipped off Tuesday by a 911 call that people were being held at the Polaris Hotel in South Los Angeles, said police Sgt. Michael Parlor.
The suspected smugglers fled before police arrived with their lights and sirens on, Parlor said.
Officers who went to the hotel to investigate a possible kidnapping found 13 people crammed into one motel room and 14 in another, he said.
"We got food for everyone. It looks like they had no food for a while," Parlor said. He said the 25 men and two women were in good condition otherwise.
Robert Goetsch, a senior special agent with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement said a preliminary investigation found that the immigrants were smuggled into the United States on Monday and had been held at the motel since then.
Three of the illegal immigrants were detained for questioning because authorities believe they may have helped the smugglers. The rest were going to be transported to an immigration facility for further questioning and likely deportation.
A crowd of mostly Hispanics gathered at two corners near the motel holding large Mexican flags and chanting "let them go!"
At one point the crowd of about 30 people blocked off the street as three large white vans pulled up to take away the immigrants. One person threw a rock at police and struck a squad car. About a dozen officers lined up shoulder to shoulder and cleared the street as the vans departed.
An official from the Mexican Consulate office spoke to some of the immigrants to advise them of their rights to an attorney before they were taken away.
Louis Carrillo, a consulting attorney with the Mexican Consulate, said it was the third time in recent months that he had seen Los Angeles police working in tandem with federal immigration authorities.
"That should not be permitted in Los Angeles," he said. "The police department assistance is counterproductive because it can lead illegal immigrants to fear reporting crimes."
Parlor said police responded initially because they believed a kidnapping had occurred and called federal authorities after they found the immigrants.
Illegal immigrants who are smuggled into the country typically are held at so-called "drop houses" until they're smuggling fees are paid off. In April and May, authorities raided two drop houses and in each case found about 80 immigrants were being held in cramped quarters.
Low wage slaves. Where's the liberal outrage?
"A crowd of mostly Hispanics gathered at two corners near the motel holding large Mexican flags and chanting "let them go!"
Sure will. In Mexico.
Great job tipping off the smugglers, LAPD
"A crowd of mostly Hispanics gathered at two corners near the motel holding large Mexican flags and chanting "let them go!""
All those in the crowd should be sent to their dear mexico along with the illegals - one way tickets. I'll help defray the cost of the tickets, gladly.
"The suspected smugglers fled before police arrived with their lights and sirens on, Parlor said"
Kinda reminds me of the SNL skit with Robert Dinero (I think) as UN weapons inspectors in Iraq knocking on a door and asking if there were any WMD? When the person inside (Saddam?) said no, they leave. What do these people think, that the bad guys are going to just stay there?
Liberals only want their votes.
send them home. Mr. Fox, your people are on their way.
Mexican flags? If they wanted us to let their fellows stay here shouldn't the crowd have been holding American flags? Well, of course. But they don't want them to become Americans. They see themselves as invaders and reoccupiers. Iow, they see America - at least the Southwest - AS Mexico.
and their standard bearer California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamonte still supports MeCHA and the violent overthrow of California government
They're too busy counting potential votes to be outraged.
"That should not be permitted in Los Angeles," he said. "The police department assistance is counterproductive because it can lead illegal immigrants to fear reporting crimes."
AGGGHHH..That guy should shut his damn trap !
The paper ought to hire an editor!
Otherwise, this is good news that at least some illegal aliens were caught.
A crowd of mostly Hispanics gathered at two corners near the motel holding large Mexican flags and chanting "let them go!" At one point the crowd of about 30 people blocked off the street .... One person threw a rock at police and struck a squad car.
Too bad the people blocking the street and throwing rocks weren't arrested and any illegal aliens in this group deported.
Clearly a substantial number of them have no respect for our laws and our policemen, so the idea that police helping the immigration officials in this case would scare illegal aliens from reporting crimes in other cases (especially when one can give anonymous tips to the police) is unreasonable.
ping
This chit has got to stop...they act like they own this Country and are becoming way too aggressive.
Behold the future, California.
They do own the county!
>>The suspected smugglers fled before police arrived with their lights and sirens on, Parlor said.<<
Is this how you would approach a building suspected of housing criminals?
"No one is above the law in Los Angeles," Mayor James Hahn said after a community meeting at LAPD's 77th Street Station.
(That quote from Hahn always cracks me up.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.