The Frederick County sheriff believes Montgomery County's light stance on illegal immigrations could be a detriment to safety and security in Frederick County.
In particular, Sheriff Chuck Jenkins cited gang activity, and particularly activity by gangs that tend to recruit illegal immigrants, such as the Latin Kings, the Washington Examiner reported.
In an August armed robbery of the Philly Cheesesteak Factory on Urbana Pike, one of the robbers hit a victim in the head with a hammer, police said. And a store owner was shot at after an armed robbery by some of the same suspects nine days later in Point of Rocks, according to news accounts.
Suspects were caught in Montgomery County soon after the alleged crimes, according to police.
In Montgomery County, police can contact federal immigration authorities about suspects arrested only for violent and handgun-related crimes, while Frederick County does not have that limitation, the Examiner reported. Jenkins suspects that makes Montgomery County an attractive place from where gangs of illegal immigrants can operate.
CASA of Maryland suggested the crimes Jenkins cited were likely an outgrowth of the county's urbanization.
