DPS: 11 immigrants rescued from Phoenix drop house
Reported by:
Deborah Stocks
Email: dstocks@abc15.com
Reported by: Katie Fisher
Last Update: 10/02/2009 3:30 pm
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PHOENIX -- Officials say 11 undocumented immigrants being held at gunpoint were rescued from a West Phoenix drop house Thursday night.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, one suspect was arrested at the home near 85th Avenue and Indian School Road.
DPS said the Phoenix Police Department received a 911 call around 2 p.m. from a man who said he feared for his life and that there were 15 other immigrants being held by a gunman in a "yellow house."
The caller was only able to give brief information before the call was disconnected.
Phoenix police tried to locate the home, with the limited information, and then about 5:30 p.m. another call was made and the same person was able to give more information about the house.
DPS said officers found the house and as they knocked on the door, the suspect tried to escape out the back.
The suspect reportedly ran back into the house when he saw police setting up a perimeter and as police prepared to go in, several victims began walking out the front door.
DPS said the suspect tried to hide himself among the victims.
During interviews, victims identified the suspect and told officers that two other suspects had fled before police arrived.
The house reportedly had fortified windows and DPS said the suspects used intimidation and threats of physical violance against the victims.
DPS said it was believed the victims had been in the house a day or more and each had paid $800 to illegally enter the U.S.
The human smuggling suspects allegedly demanded more money and threatened to strip the victims and leave them in the desert if their families did not pay more ransom money.
Officials said one of the victims was a woman who was about seven months pregnant. She was treated at the scene by Phoenix Fire Department paramedics then transported to a Valley hospital for an examination and treatment.Ten of the undocumented immigrants were turned over to Immigration and Custom Enforcement for processing and disposition. The pregnant female remains in the hospital, according to DPS.
DPS identified the suspect as Augustin Valencia-Rodriguez. He was booked into the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail and charged with kidnapping, extortion and human smuggling.
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