Three caught trying to get into the US

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Agents caught three suspects accused of trying to sneak into the U.S. from Canada. And local Border Patrol agents say the are seeing a spike in illegal entries.

The suspects were caught in a period of less than 24 hours.

Agent Matthew Bitterman said, "It's a pretty big spike, especially in such a short period."

Bitterman says the individuals were using railroad bridges in Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The suspects were spotted on Border Patrol cameras walking across from Canada to the U.S., trying to conceal themselves.

The first suspect, a Kosovo native, was caught around 4 a.m. Monday when an agent spotted someone trying to come across the Whirlpool Bridge in Niagara Falls.

"He had a pretty good criminal history in Canada and also had an active warrant out of British Columbia in Canada," Bitterman said. "He has a criminal history for assault, assault with a weapon. What's going to stop him from doing that in the United States?"

Authorities say 18 hours later, two citizens of Guatemala, a male and female, tried to cross the International Railroad Bridge in Buffalo. Border Patrol agents say they previously lived illegally in the U.S.

Bitterman said, "They entered the United States legally. Overstayed their visas. Lived here illegally for nine or so years. They left, entered Canada illegally. Lived in Canada illegally for four years. They applied for asylum in Canada, which was denied."

That's when Bitterman says they decided to come back to the U.S. and travel to Atlanta.

"Luckily there were agents there patrolling making sure that that didn't happen," Bitterman said.

All three individuals will face an immigration judge, and appear in federal court.