A San Fernando Valley couple was apprehended for posing as law officials and robbing illegal immigrants on the streets of Southern California. Steve Leo, 34 and Sabrina John, 32, were arrested in connection with 21 robberies of illegal immigrants, but authorities believe there were many more.
The couple targeted illegal immigrants, including migrant workers, on their way home from work. Leo and John imitated sheriffs in green uniforms, carried a replica handgun, and even kept a laptop in their vehicle to give the impression of running background checks. Sheriff Lee Baca explained the couple’s tactics, stating: “(They) ordered victims to submit themselves to a pat-down search. The suspects removed the victims' wallet and/or cash and instructed the victims to continue walking.”
Witnesses claimed that the operation seemed suspect, but fear of deportation kept many victims from reporting the crimes. Gaining the cooperation of illegal immigrants who are crime victims has been a long time struggle for authorities, especially in Los Angeles County. LAPD officers constantly attempt to balance their duty to protect the people of Los Angeles and their responsibility to accommodate the Immigration and Customs Enforcement on immigration matters.
Local Latinos said they were not surprised at hearing about Leo and John’s operation. Day-laborer Arnulfo Godoy Chamale stated, “I think this is part of the life of being an immigrant. We don’t have any protection.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-shakedown8nov08,1,2189298.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=2&cset=true
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