Man accused in drunken driving death here illegally
By MIKE GLENN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
An accused drunken driver was in the country illegally when he drove onto a sidewalk in southwest Houston last week and fatally struck a toddler walking with her parents, authorities said.
Gissela Silvestre, 23 months, died from her injuries Oct. 16 after spending two days in critical condition at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The driver, Angel Jesus Hernandez, 24, fled the scene after striking the child on Oct. 14 along the 6100 block of Windswept.
He was arrested a short distance away after striking several other cars.
Officials with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement said Hernandez is originally from Mexico. They don't know when he came to the United States or how he entered the country — other than to say it wasn't through legal means.
"I just know that he hasn't been arrested before this," said ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa. "He doesn't have any prior immigration history."
Houston police officers administered a breathalyzer test about three hours after the accident. The examination indicated Hernandez had a blood alcohol level of .15, police said. The legal limit for intoxication in Texas is .08.
Hernandez was charged with intoxicated assault with a vehicle and failure to stop and render assistance. He remains at the Harris County Jail without bond.
mike.glenn@chron.com
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
NJ Illegal Rapes Girl while girlfriend sleeps
Englewood man charged with rape Wednesday, October 10, 2007 By MAYA KREMENSTAFF WRITER
ENGLEWOOD -- An illegal immigrant has been charged with raping a woman on the living room couch of the apartment he shared with his mother, girlfriend and their son.
The 23-year-old woman had accompanied Harold Mendoza and his girlfriend on Friday night to the Blueside Grill, an upscale Englewood bar. After a few drinks, the three went back to the couple's Humphrey Street apartment around midnight, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said.
An hour later, Mendoza left the bedroom he shared with his girlfriend to forcibly have sex with the sleeping victim, the prosecutor charges. When his girlfriend tried to intervene, he hit her in the face, they said.
The two women reported the incident to Englewood police, and were treated at Englewood Hospital and released. Mendoza's girlfriend had bruises on her face, arms and legs, but was not seriously injured, authorities said.
Mendoza, 24, was arrested Saturday on charges of domestic violence, sexual assault and simple assault. He is being held in the Bergen County Jail on $109,000 bail.
The Department of Homeland Security was also notified because of Mendoza's residency status.
ENGLEWOOD -- An illegal immigrant has been charged with raping a woman on the living room couch of the apartment he shared with his mother, girlfriend and their son.
The 23-year-old woman had accompanied Harold Mendoza and his girlfriend on Friday night to the Blueside Grill, an upscale Englewood bar. After a few drinks, the three went back to the couple's Humphrey Street apartment around midnight, Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said.
An hour later, Mendoza left the bedroom he shared with his girlfriend to forcibly have sex with the sleeping victim, the prosecutor charges. When his girlfriend tried to intervene, he hit her in the face, they said.
The two women reported the incident to Englewood police, and were treated at Englewood Hospital and released. Mendoza's girlfriend had bruises on her face, arms and legs, but was not seriously injured, authorities said.
Mendoza, 24, was arrested Saturday on charges of domestic violence, sexual assault and simple assault. He is being held in the Bergen County Jail on $109,000 bail.
The Department of Homeland Security was also notified because of Mendoza's residency status.
Monday, October 08, 2007
TN- Another drunk illegal driver
The man police believe is responsible for the fatal car crash on Interstate 440 over the weekend is believed to have entered the country illegally. An immigration hold has been placed on Lorenzo Hernandez Santiz, 21, following his arrest Sunday for vehicular homicide. Santiz, who also goes by the name Jorge Hernandez, is suspected of speeding and being under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his car just after 2 a.m. Sunday on the ramp from I-440 West to Interstate 40. The car ran off the roadway, collided with a utility pole and rolled several times before coming to a final rest. The passenger in the car, 27-year-old Nicolas Hernandez, died at the scene. Santiz, who alleged to have illegally entered the United States from Mexico, admitted to drinking four beers prior to the crash. He is being held without bond. Police said Santiz was arrested in 2006 on a variety of charges
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Missing Illegal (3rd world crime is here)
Unusual kidnapping puzzles police
RICHMOND: Anonymous caller threatened immigrant in days before disappearance
By Karl Fischer
STAFF WRITER Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:10/06/2007 03:25:21 AM PDT
By Karl Fischer
STAFF WRITER
Someone kidnapped a Mexican immigrant from the streets of Richmond last week and demanded money from a relative in exchange for his safe return, police say.
Though the victim's brother-in-law complied, police say the family has not heard from the kidnappers in nearly a week, and authorities do not know what became of the victim.
"This is an extremely difficult case," Detective Terry Miles said. "We don't know much about the victim or about the suspects."
The brother-in-law called police Sept. 26 after receiving a threatening call on his cell phone. The anonymous caller said he would kill the brother-in-law, whom police did not identify, if he did not pay $5,000 via Western Union.
The brother-in-law, who moved to Richmond a few years ago and sells corn from a pushcart, did not have $5,000, Miles said. But the caller knew a great deal about him, including where he lived, what his home looked like and the license plate number of his car.
The same caller phoned again later that day, prompting the brother-in-law to make a police report. The calls came from different phones with area codes in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas, police said.
The brother-in-law also talked about the calls with the victim, identified as Carlos Rodriguez, who said he had no idea who would make such threats. Rodriguez, who is undocumented, moved in with his brother-in-law about two weeks earlier to make money selling corn.
Rodriguez arrived from Mexico about three months ago, Miles said. The brother-in-law explained to police that he paid to bring his relative to the United States via a coyote, a slang term for someone who smuggles Mexican immigrants into the country.
Rodriguez and his brother-in-law parted from their home about 2 p.m. Sept. 28, heading different directions to sell corn. Rodriguez did not come home when expected.
The brother-in-law got a third call from the anonymous man Sunday morning. This time the call came from a blocked number. The caller said, "We have your brother-in-law, and we're going to kill him if you don't pay us," Miles said.
The kidnapper then briefly allowed Rodriguez to speak to the brother-in-law. He said he was in Arizona, and that the people who took him meant what they said.
The brother-in-law told the kidnapper that he did not have $5,000, and was told to wire what he had to a location in Mexico via Western Union. The brother-in-law sent about $2,400, Miles said.
The kidnapper called once more Sunday evening, accusing the brother-in-law of placing a hold on the wired money, which he had not done. The brother-in-law said there was no hold on the money, and someone picked it up soon after, Miles said.
That was the last the family heard from either the kidnappers or Rodriguez.
Miles said the brother-in-law trusts Rodriguez, who has been in the family for nine years, and also the coyote, whom he would not identify. Miles said the brother-in-law previously had used the coyote successfully and without incident.
While police lack much solid information about the case, an FBI spokeswoman confirmed that the federal agency is assisting the investigation. The Mexican consulate in San Francisco did not return a call Friday.
Richmond police have not investigated any similar cases, Detective Sgt. Mitch Peixoto said. Antonio Medrano, a longtime Latino activist in Western Contra Costa County, said he has never heard of a local kidnap-for-ransom scheme targeting his community.
But undocumented immigrants are extremely vulnerable to crime because of their relative anonymity, language barriers and fear of deportation. Immigrant workers in the region frequently get ripped off by dishonest, under-the-table employers as well as muggers, Medrano said.
"They are vulnerable. Many of them are afraid of la migra," Medrano said, using the Spanish word for immigration authorities. "And any kind of threats made to them, they give in too easily, because they come from countries where the police are not to be trusted."
Peixoto stressed that Richmond police want to help immigrant crime victims, do not enforce federal immigration law and do not provide information about victims to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Anyone in a situation like this one should call the police department as soon as possible," Peixoto said. "We don't care what your status is. We're here to help."
Rodriguez moved into the home of his brother-in-law in the North Richmond area last month. He stands about 5 feet 9 inches, and his brother-in-law said he is 25. Residents may have seen him selling corn on the street in the neighborhood. Police do not have a photo of the victim.
RICHMOND: Anonymous caller threatened immigrant in days before disappearance
By Karl Fischer
STAFF WRITER Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:10/06/2007 03:25:21 AM PDT
By Karl Fischer
STAFF WRITER
Someone kidnapped a Mexican immigrant from the streets of Richmond last week and demanded money from a relative in exchange for his safe return, police say.
Though the victim's brother-in-law complied, police say the family has not heard from the kidnappers in nearly a week, and authorities do not know what became of the victim.
"This is an extremely difficult case," Detective Terry Miles said. "We don't know much about the victim or about the suspects."
The brother-in-law called police Sept. 26 after receiving a threatening call on his cell phone. The anonymous caller said he would kill the brother-in-law, whom police did not identify, if he did not pay $5,000 via Western Union.
The brother-in-law, who moved to Richmond a few years ago and sells corn from a pushcart, did not have $5,000, Miles said. But the caller knew a great deal about him, including where he lived, what his home looked like and the license plate number of his car.
The same caller phoned again later that day, prompting the brother-in-law to make a police report. The calls came from different phones with area codes in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas, police said.
The brother-in-law also talked about the calls with the victim, identified as Carlos Rodriguez, who said he had no idea who would make such threats. Rodriguez, who is undocumented, moved in with his brother-in-law about two weeks earlier to make money selling corn.
Rodriguez arrived from Mexico about three months ago, Miles said. The brother-in-law explained to police that he paid to bring his relative to the United States via a coyote, a slang term for someone who smuggles Mexican immigrants into the country.
Rodriguez and his brother-in-law parted from their home about 2 p.m. Sept. 28, heading different directions to sell corn. Rodriguez did not come home when expected.
The brother-in-law got a third call from the anonymous man Sunday morning. This time the call came from a blocked number. The caller said, "We have your brother-in-law, and we're going to kill him if you don't pay us," Miles said.
The kidnapper then briefly allowed Rodriguez to speak to the brother-in-law. He said he was in Arizona, and that the people who took him meant what they said.
The brother-in-law told the kidnapper that he did not have $5,000, and was told to wire what he had to a location in Mexico via Western Union. The brother-in-law sent about $2,400, Miles said.
The kidnapper called once more Sunday evening, accusing the brother-in-law of placing a hold on the wired money, which he had not done. The brother-in-law said there was no hold on the money, and someone picked it up soon after, Miles said.
That was the last the family heard from either the kidnappers or Rodriguez.
Miles said the brother-in-law trusts Rodriguez, who has been in the family for nine years, and also the coyote, whom he would not identify. Miles said the brother-in-law previously had used the coyote successfully and without incident.
While police lack much solid information about the case, an FBI spokeswoman confirmed that the federal agency is assisting the investigation. The Mexican consulate in San Francisco did not return a call Friday.
Richmond police have not investigated any similar cases, Detective Sgt. Mitch Peixoto said. Antonio Medrano, a longtime Latino activist in Western Contra Costa County, said he has never heard of a local kidnap-for-ransom scheme targeting his community.
But undocumented immigrants are extremely vulnerable to crime because of their relative anonymity, language barriers and fear of deportation. Immigrant workers in the region frequently get ripped off by dishonest, under-the-table employers as well as muggers, Medrano said.
"They are vulnerable. Many of them are afraid of la migra," Medrano said, using the Spanish word for immigration authorities. "And any kind of threats made to them, they give in too easily, because they come from countries where the police are not to be trusted."
Peixoto stressed that Richmond police want to help immigrant crime victims, do not enforce federal immigration law and do not provide information about victims to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Anyone in a situation like this one should call the police department as soon as possible," Peixoto said. "We don't care what your status is. We're here to help."
Rodriguez moved into the home of his brother-in-law in the North Richmond area last month. He stands about 5 feet 9 inches, and his brother-in-law said he is 25. Residents may have seen him selling corn on the street in the neighborhood. Police do not have a photo of the victim.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Day Loiterer rapes client
Alleged Santa Monica Rapist, 17, Charged As Adult
Bail Reportedly Set At $7 Million
(CBS) LOS ANGELES A 17-year-old day laborer accused of breaking into a Santa Monica condominium and raping the occupant when she returned home was charged as an adult Tuesday with nine felonies. Luis Mario Lopez is scheduled to be arraigned at the Airport Branch Courthouse on charges including forcible rape, residential burglary and unlawfully taking the woman's 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 convertible. Prosecutors were asking that his bail be set at $7 million. Lopez was arrested Friday in his hometown of Oxnard while driving the woman's vehicle, according to Santa Monica police. Evidence linking him to the crime was recovered from the car and his home, police said. The woman was confronted and tied up about 10 p.m. Thursday when she came home and found the house had been ransacked, police said. The woman was repeatedly attacked over a four-hour period and suffered injuries including a broken nose, according to Deputy District Attorney Lisa Houle. Authorities said evidence indicates that the teen entered the victim's home some time Thursday morning and then attacked her when she returned home. The suspect, who had previously worked for the 42-year-old victim at her home in the 1100 block of Princeton Avenue, allegedly got in through a doggie door, police said. At a news conference last week, Santa Monica police Chief Tim Jackman called the crime "vicious and brutal" and said authorities believe the woman was "specifically targeted. "Lopez faces multiple life prison terms if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Bail Reportedly Set At $7 Million
(CBS) LOS ANGELES A 17-year-old day laborer accused of breaking into a Santa Monica condominium and raping the occupant when she returned home was charged as an adult Tuesday with nine felonies. Luis Mario Lopez is scheduled to be arraigned at the Airport Branch Courthouse on charges including forcible rape, residential burglary and unlawfully taking the woman's 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 convertible. Prosecutors were asking that his bail be set at $7 million. Lopez was arrested Friday in his hometown of Oxnard while driving the woman's vehicle, according to Santa Monica police. Evidence linking him to the crime was recovered from the car and his home, police said. The woman was confronted and tied up about 10 p.m. Thursday when she came home and found the house had been ransacked, police said. The woman was repeatedly attacked over a four-hour period and suffered injuries including a broken nose, according to Deputy District Attorney Lisa Houle. Authorities said evidence indicates that the teen entered the victim's home some time Thursday morning and then attacked her when she returned home. The suspect, who had previously worked for the 42-year-old victim at her home in the 1100 block of Princeton Avenue, allegedly got in through a doggie door, police said. At a news conference last week, Santa Monica police Chief Tim Jackman called the crime "vicious and brutal" and said authorities believe the woman was "specifically targeted. "Lopez faces multiple life prison terms if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office.
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