Cape police arrest 12 believed to be illegal immigrants

Earlier this week, Cape Girardeau police made 12 arrests of people believed to be in the country illegally and employees of a Perryville, Mo., business.

Police were attempting to serve a warrant Monday in the 1700 block of North Kingshighway for a misdemeanor charge of failure to appear, said Sgt. Barry Hovis, spokesman for the police department.

An officer familiar with the man they were looking for spotted him earlier and informed the sergeant on duty.

Officers began inquiring as to names and requesting identification, trying to pinpoint the man they were trying to serve, Hovis said.

The man they were trying to serve was not there, but all of the individuals there were believed to be illegal aliens and detained, Hovis said.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement was contacted, and the agency informed the police department it was interested in charging the suspected illegal immigrants.

"It was quite a big pick-up," Hovis said.

The following people were arrested: Garcia Zarate-Santiago, 35; Alberto Lorenzo, 33, of 103 N. Clark Ave., No. 304; Emilio Carmona, 46; Rosario C. Goveche, 19; Maria Ventura-Santos, 28; Rosaria Rendon-Galbon, 23; Paulina Perez-Hernandez; Paulino V. Cruz, 24; Leonel Carmona Soriano, 23, of 3019 Themis St., No. 4; Jose L. Serano-Moreno, 38; David Lopez-Jimenes, 18, of 103 N. Clark Ave. No. 303; and Elva Chavez Hernandez, 36.

All of the individuals gave police Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. in Perryville as their place of employment, according to Cpl. Jason Selzer.

Since July, Cape Girardeau police have detained 51 people for Immigrations and Customs, though Selzer said they were not doing any sort of crackdown on undocumented immigrants. All of the arrests resulted from people being detained on other charges when their status was discovered, he said.

So far in October, 23 people have been arrested by Cape Girardeau officers and turned over to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Selzer said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

388-3635