Five deported after criminal investigation
Five individuals allegedly involved in illegal activity were arrested and turned over to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation Monday.
The St. Joseph Police Department’s street crimes unit arrested Berta A. Rubio-Jasso, 49, Cacari L. Santiago, 19, Celcilia R. Pascual, 32, Fidelina T. Rubio, 20, and Pablo P. Rodriguez, 38, during a traffic stop at 2:10 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Sixth and Patee streets.
The unit determined that all five were in the country illegally from Mexico, said Sgt. Eric Protzman, officer in charge of the street crimes unit. The investigation wrapped up Monday when the subjects were all located in a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am, he said. Mr. Protzman said.
“This was a rapid and efficient response to the problem,” he said.
The three-man police unit began a short-term investigation in June seeking information about the perpetrators of serious but non-violent crimes, Mr. Protzman said. The unit’s investigation identified these five subjects as individuals allegedly involved in criminal activity, Mr. Protzman said.
He declined to state the specific nature of the alleged criminal activity. All five Mexican nationals lived at 516 South 16th St. according to police records.
In addition to narcotics, the unit investigates violent crimes involving weapons and gun trafficking, Mr. Protzman said. The unit also works with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s fugitive apprehension unit when it comes to St. Joseph seeking felons, he said.
This story has 15 comments. Click here to join in on the discussion.
Story Tools
Hyperlink Legend
E-mail story
Print friendly version
iPod friendly version
Today's Top Headlines
Youths fuel interest in local history exhibits
Welfare Board finds big savings
Professor digs deep to uncover Missouri’s past
Teacher, student among magazine's 'heroes'
Helping the needy
- More Headlines
- Recently Discussed
This comment was removed by the site staff.
Posted by azmaggie on July 29, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)I'll bet they were just in this country to make a better living for themselves and their families!!! They will be deported and walk right back accross the border.
Posted by Joe_Wright on July 29, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)Yes they were azmaggie. Making a living in crime.
Posted by TheShadow on July 29, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)Gee Maggie, that's why we need better border security. Quit with the "they are all here just seeking a better life". While I don't agree that all illegal aliens are criminals or causing problems, They are all not completely innocent either. When you enter a country illegally and can't jump into the mainstream life it makes it pretty easy to resort to crime to get by.
Posted by Mr_America on July 29, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)They are all a burden on our community’s resources. The bulk of their money goes back to thier "Home" land. I think they should all follow their wire transfers back home.
Posted by mom2809 on July 29, 2008 at 12:18 p.m.This comment was removed by the site staff.
Posted by azmaggie on July 29, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)If they do the then they are accused a racial profiling and get the Protesters out. The Sheriff of Maricopa County Az is in hot water all the time for this. The human rights activists say you can't do this!! Big deal Sheriff Joe does it and doesn not care. He also arrests the illegals for trespassing. I wish more law enforcement would step up to the plate like he does.
Posted by Expatriate on July 29, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)I'm proud of the St. Joe police! In far too many communities, local governmental agencies refuse to do anything about illegal immigrants. Police look the other way, social workers offer them access to our money via free housing and food stamps without asking for documentation, and schools set up special ESL classes for them. This sets a great precedent and is big deal.
Posted by StJoeMoe on July 29, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)So, they basically get a free trip home and you can "bet your boots" they'll be back whenever they want......
I lived in Arizona long enough to realize what a joke that is, the border, wide open.
And it was not and is not uncommon for some "illegals" to purposely get caught just for that free trip, with room and board, home.
And guess who pays for it -
Us
But, there really are not any other options, are there?
Whatcha gonna do.....
Posted by mom2809 on July 29, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)Okay lets try this again! If the police department were to pull over every other car that is OVER stuffed with "people" maybe we could send some more back!
Posted by semomom on July 29, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.This comment was removed by the site staff.
Posted by Mrs_America on July 29, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)In a related story....5 possible job openings at a local pork plant.
Posted by Carz on July 29, 2008 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)ya... and why arn't we bulking up on border control again?
Posted by ajm on July 30, 2008 at 9:16 p.m.This comment was removed by the site staff.
Posted by StJoeMoe on July 31, 2008 at 8:11 p.m.This comment was removed by the site staff.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them.
Rules: We don't allow comments that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Epithets, abusive language and obscene comments will not be tolerated... nor will defamation. Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatent cutting and pasting is not acceptable.Robust, even heated debate we like. Straying off-topic or flaming, we don't. Please read our user agreement.
Requires free stjoenews.net registration.