Thanks to the watchful eye of an observant neighbor, two more suspected illegal aliens have been taken into custody. According to New Martinsville Police Chief Tim Cecil, on Saturday night a neighbor near the Paducah Drive location of an April 16 Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sting observed a suspicious white van which seemed to be circling the apartment building. Ten days earlier the building has been the scene of a coordinated raid which had snared seven illegal immigrants and closed the El Caporal Mexican Restaurante in the New Martinsville Plaza. The neighbor called NMPD; Ptl. Don Larsen and Ptl. Friend Estep came on scene to find all the lights on in the former residence of the arrested aliens. Finding the van empty, the officers knocked on the door of the illuminated apartment, but heard no response. After investigating all exterior areas of the building, the officers returned to the van to find it occupied by two individuals who reportedly spoke no English at first. As investigations continued it was determined the duo were able to converse well enough in English to reveal they were in the country illegally.

The pair was taken to the Northern Regional Jail where ICE officials took control and transported them to Pittsburgh. Cecil says investigations have revealed the two illegals crossed the border at Tijuana, and upon entering California drove straight through to West Virginia to retrieve the belongings of the aliens who formerly occupied at the Paducah Drive apartment.

Cecil said this is a good example of how the community working with law enforcement can help stop a potential crime. “We didn’t actually catch them breaking into the apartment, so we’re not sure why they were there, but they were in this country illegally. The neighbors did a good job of being alert. If we continue to get their help, and since we are now working with ICE investigations, we can help prevent these and other possible crimes.”

Cecil added that any concerned citizens may always alert police to any suspicious activity by calling 455-9100.