U.S. Border Patrol agents in Buffalo have arrested a man from Puerto Rico who was impersonating a Colombian national and presented a counterfeit lawful permanent resident card. The arrest occurred on June 5 after agents responded to a call from a concerned citizen about possible illegal aliens in the area.
Agents located a vehicle with a passenger matching the description provided by the caller. A traffic stop was conducted, with assistance from the Lancaster Police Department for officer safety. The man identified himself using a false name and presented an invalid permanent resident card that did not match his claimed identity.
Further investigation revealed that the individual was Raymundo Rondon-Canales, a 54-year-old U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico. He was wanted in Puerto Rico and listed among its most wanted individuals due to his status as a convicted felon-sex offender who had violated court orders from Guayama Court.
“This arrest underscores our unwavering commitment to border security and apprehending dangerous fugitives,” said Martin Coombs, Patrol Agent in Charge at Buffalo Station. “The individual in custody, a convicted sex offender on Puerto Rico’s most wanted list, posed a significant threat to public safety.”
Rondon-Canales has been processed by Border Patrol agents and handed over to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office while awaiting extradition back to Puerto Rico.
It is important to note that charges are merely accusations at this stage, and Rondon-Canales is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Buffalo Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for securing borders between ports of entry across New York and Pennsylvania, covering 341 linear maritime border miles. They encourage community members to report suspicious activities at 1-800-331-0353.
CBP describes itself as America's frontline agency, tasked with protecting the nation through ground, air, and sea operations while facilitating safe travel and trade.
