13 people arrested at Pennsylvania DMV after man calls DHS on non-domiciled drivers seeking medical form updates

13 people were arrested and even more fled the scene after a man called the Department of Homeland Security on non-domiciled truck drivers seeking medical form updates. 

The arrests were made at the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles office in Kittanning on Friday, April 3rd. 

“ICE responded to calls from the East Franklin Police Department after concerned citizens reported an abnormally large amount of individuals outside the PennDOT driver licensing center in Kittanning, Pennsylvania,” said Department of Homeland Security spokesman Jason Koontz. 

When ICE officers arrived at the DMV, many people were seen fleeing the scene, and some even abandoned their vehicles on the street and in the parking lot. ICE officers also investigated some of the multiple semi trucks parked in the parking lot. Some of the truck cabs had large numbers of people come out of them when prompted by agents. 

“Like 10 people came out,” reported one witness. 

“Numerous people scattered throughout the community. I’m unsure of the reasons why they left. Were they illegal? Were they just scared? Obviously, we can’t answer that. … It went even as far as people exiting their vehicles and abandoning them on the street,” said Armstrong County Sheriff Frank Pitzer to Post-Gazette.

Koontz says that ICE arrested 13 people from countries, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.

“One illegal alien resisted arrest and assaulted a local officer—a crime,” Mr. Koontz also said. “Residents thanked ICE for investigating their concerns and responding to their calls. The incident remains under investigation.”

PennDOT spokeswoman Alexis Campbell told Fox that PennDOT did not coordinate with ICE in “any capacity in relation to this activity.”

“The West Kittanning Driver License Center was processing medical form updates for current holders of non-domiciled commercial learner’s permit or driver license holders, which resulted in a large number of customers at West Kittanning,” she said.