Exclusive | Frantic hunt for suspected illegal migrants who washed ashore in millionaires enclave
Investigators are searching for video that could be used with facial recognition tools to identify close to one dozen suspected illegal migrants who descended on Newport Beach by boat over the weekend.The boat carrying a large group of suspected migrants docked at Newport Harbor Saturday before those onboard scattered among the surrounding mansions.The 20-foot vessel was abandoned after striking and damaging a nearby yacht, authorities said.Investigators are especially interested in videos that may have captured the incident, Newport Beach City Council member Erik Weigand said, as only one grainy surveillance clip of the suspected migrants fleeing the boat has surfaced so far.“Literally no regard for safety, just barreled in, and everyone bailed out and just skirmished into the community,” said Weigand.
“And unfortunately, you know, only thing was that camera.”The Newport Beach Police Department is working with federal agents on the case in hopes of identifying and apprehending the suspects.Newport has Flock Safety cameras and video surveillence devices in public areas, and many homeowners there have security cameras, said Weigand.“They’re trying to use other security cameras and figure out if they can bring more facial recognition and try to figure out who’s who in that situation,” he added.The incident has rattled tony Newport Beach, where a low crime rate and high income levels have not protected the community from illegal migration.
The Coast Guard nearby apprehended a boat carrying illegal migrants earlier this month, in a separate incident.A 911 caller reported Saturday’s landing to police at about 4 p.m., said Weigand, describing a dozen male Hispanics that were aboard a fishing-type motorboat that quickly came ashore in the 400 block of Edgewater Place on Newport Bay near the Balboa Island Ferry.Surveillance video captured by a nearby homeowner showed the men rushing off the boat on foot, and investigators believe the suspects then dis...