UPDATE: U.S. Border Patrol Agents Release Men Detained in Oil City

| February 8, 2016

8798388242_e84dc73daeOIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) – U.S. Border Patrol agents in Erie have released four suspected illegal immigrants who were detained in Oil City Saturday.

Agents were contacted Saturday after an unrelated investigation by Oil City Police led to the discovery of four suspected illegal immigrants.

Police say 25-year-old Ali Sawaed, 22-year-old Amer Zubidat, 42-year-old Marwan Zubidat and 48-year-old Alunat-Albouri Senussi were detained by police after an incident in Oil City revealed issues regarding their immigration status.

Police say the investigation began after they were contacted by a woman who was in the process of moving to Oil City and was “concerned for her own safety.”

The woman told police that she hired a Cape Cod moving company to help move her belongings from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Oil City.

According to the woman, the movers demanded over $1000 more than what was specified in their contract.

The woman told police that she felt the movers “may use force to collect the additional funds.”

She then provided police with the address of where the property was being delivered, requesting police presence when this occurred.

The movers arrived around 10 a.m., and before they would take any items off the rental truck, they asked the woman for more money.

Around 10:25 a.m., officers responded to the location as the property was being delivered and spoke with the woman and the movers.

After further investigation, including speaking with the moving company’s owner, it was determined that his employees were allegedly attempting to defraud the woman for additional money without his knowledge.

Officers became suspicious of the movers immigration status based on “statements they had made.”

During the course of the interaction with the movers, it was determined that they were from Israel and Chad.

U.S. Border Patrol (Erie Office) was subsequently contacted.

Upon initial consultation and background checks, authorities believe the movers are illegal immigrants, requiring further investigation by U.S. Border Patrol.

The suspects were detained by Oil City Police officers with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police. They were subsequently turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for further investigation.

A representative with the U.S. Border Patrol Station in Buffalo told exploreVenango.com that the four men were released by border patrol agents in Erie.

The representative was unable to confirm the immigration status of the individuals and said further information would be provided by U.S. Border Patrol officials in Washington, D.C.

Additional information is expected to be released at a later date.


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