LAKE STATION | A tip from an anonymous caller Monday morning led police to detain a van filled with about 14 individuals believed to be illegal immigrants, Police Chief Mike Stills said.
Police questioned the occupants at length, then contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, of ICE, who took over the case, Stills said.
An ICE spokesperson could not be reached for comment on the case.
Stills said police received a call about 10:30 a.m. about a van parked at the Flying J Truck Stop off Ripley Street.
He said when police arrived, the van driver had fled the scene, leaving the occupants stranded at the truck stop.
"None had any identifications on them and none could speak English," Stills said.
One of the Police Department's officers speaks Spanish and he was able to talk to the passengers of the van then translate what he learned.
Stills said apparently the occupants had left Mexico a few days ago, had traveled through New Mexico and were headed to the East Coast in the United States.
"They were cooperative and there was no adverse activity," he said.
