A 46-year-old Maryland man, Bereket Mengesha, was arrested at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, New York. Mengesha, an Ethiopian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was on a bus returning to his residence in Maryland when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered an active felony warrant for strongarm rape of a minor in Maryland. Further investigation revealed an additional charge for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Mengesha was turned over to the Buffalo Police Department and charged as a fugitive from justice. He is currently being held by the Erie County Sheriff's Office awaiting extradition [e6aa1daa].
The arrest of Bereket Mengesha at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York, adds another layer to the ongoing news surrounding the bridge collapse in Baltimore. The incident highlights the importance of border security and law enforcement efforts in preventing individuals with criminal warrants from evading justice. The arrest serves as a reminder of the critical role that law enforcement agencies play in maintaining public safety and upholding the law [e6aa1daa].
In a separate incident, Christopher Mendez, a 35-year-old man, was arrested at the US-Mexico border in connection with the murder of nurse Nicole Marquisee. Marquisee's body was found on May 31 in Huntington Beach, California. Mendez, a person of interest in the case, was attempting to reenter the United States from Mexico. His arrest was made possible with the assistance of the US Customs and Border Protection, the US Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the US Consulate General of Tijuana. Mendez is currently in custody on a $2 million bail and his arraignment is scheduled for June 11, 2024 [dcab3de1].
