10-16-2020

MEDIA RELEASE – FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE

8 FOREIGN NATIONALS STOPPED BY RUMFORD POLICE IN TWO UNRELATED TRAFFIC STOPS – 7 ARRESTED FOR UNLAWFUL ENTRY INTO USA

RUMFORD – On Thursday morning, while conducting focused highway safety patrols, Rumford Police stopped a white van with Pennsylvania registration for a traffic violation on Route 2 near Sunnyside Terrace. During the stop, officers encountered 5 adult males in the van who appeared to be foreign nationals with questionable legal status. U.S. Border Patrol was notified and agents responded to assist with communicating with the men and to investigate their legal status in the country. Agents determined that four of the five men had entered the United States illegally and were immediately taken into federal custody by agents. Those arrested were NELSON FERNANDES-MENDES, 22 of Portugal, FELIPE COSTA-SILVA, 29 of Brazil, ELIONAI AGOSTINI, 23 of Brazil, and JOSE MARTINS-AMARAL, 47 of Brazil.

A few hours later, while Rumford Police continued their patrol along Route 2, another vehicle with Pennsylvania registration was stopped for a traffic violation on Route 2 about ½ mile west of McDonald’s Restaurant. During this stop, officers encountered three foreign nationals in the vehicle who indicated they could not speak English. Officers again requested assistance from U.S. Border Patrol agents who were still nearby to help with the traffic stop and communications. USBP Agents determined that the occupants were Brazilian nationals and had also entered the United States illegally. JOELTON SILVESTRE-COSTA, 25 of Brazil, a 17-year-old female from Brazil and a 14-year-old male from Brazil were taken into federal custody by agents.

The two traffic stops were coincidental and unrelated to each another.

“We are committed to making our highways and local streets safer for our residents and visitors by continuing to have focused patrols to enforce speed and other traffic laws”, Rumford Police Chief Tony Milligan said. “Our partnership with the United States Border Patrol has taught us what to look for during encounters with foreign nationals and when it is appropriate to call for assistance when legal status is questionable or when there is a language barrier.”