ICE agents arrest three at Honesdale restaurant
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested three people Thursday at a Honesdale restaurant, according to the borough's mayor.
Mayor Derek Williams said the agents arrived at the Wayne County Courthouse late Thursday morning. They suited up and drove to Elegante Restaurant and Pizzeria, which was open at the time.
Williams said around 10 agents descended on the restaurant, located in the 800 block of Main Street, blocked off the sidewalk and windows, and came out with two men and a woman in custody. He said they were there for an hour, with a few agents staying after the arrests looking around and interviewing people at the restaurant.
The three people taken into custody work at the restaurant and live in Honesdale, Williams said.
A post on the restaurant's Facebook page stated it was temporarily closed Thursday afternoon. The post apologizes for the inconvenience and offers refunds for missed orders.
Wayne County District Attorney A.G. Howell said in an email two detectives from the office assisted federal agents. He said federal agents from Homeland Security served warrants at a local business in Honesdale. Howell said he couldn't discuss the matter because it is an open investigation and not being handled by his office.
Attempts to reach the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the arrests were unsuccessful Thursday.
Williams said it's the second time federal agents have raided the restaurant in two months. In March, agents arrested one male employee at the restaurant.
He said the agency didn't inform borough police of the arrests in advance.
Williams said the arrests affect the restaurant and community, adding he knows the people taken into custody.
'It's tough,' he said.
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