Traffic Camera Spots Illegal Immigrants
Ten illegal immigrants were detained Thursday after a traffic video camera perched above the San Diego Freeway captured an image of a large group of people spilling out of a van at the roadside and running into a nearby neighborhood, authorities said.
The 10 people were hiding in bushes and running through the south end of the Woodbridge neighborhood, according to Lt. Tom Hume, spokesman for the Irvine Police Department.
The nine men and a lone woman were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents, officials said. In interviews, the group confirmed their Mexican citizenship and agreed to be transported back to their country, according to Border Patrol agent Mark Moody.
Members of the group suggested that they exited their van after having mechanical troubles, Moody said.
There were no injuries during the incident, but the roadside commotion caused a significant traffic snarl for about an hour, aggravating the freeway’s busy morning commute, according to the CHP.
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