Seward County Sheriff's deputies arrested 14 illegal immigrants during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 80 at 11:10 p.m. April 25.
     Sheriff Joe Yocum said a deputy pulled over a 2000 Honda van and discovered its passengers were illegal immigrants. A deputy notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and escorted the van to the sheriff's office. The plan was to put the van in the sally port for security, Yocum said April 29.
     When the van was a block from the department, Yocum said, it stopped at the stop sign by the old Roller Rink and the driver and passengers fled.
     The sheriff's office called Seward Police and Nebraska State Patrol for assistance and five were caught almost immediately. One was later picked up walking past the sheriff's office, and the rest were located by Saturday morning. The Milford Police Department sent an officer with infrared equipment to help in the search, Yocum said.
     Yocum said the sheriff's office turned the suspects over to immigration officials.
     The stop was the second in two days. The first happened April 24 just after midnight at eastbound mile marker 382 on Interstate 80. The vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation, and 18 undocumented immigrants were found inside. ICE officials were contacted and took custody of the people.
     After the April 25 incident, Yocum said the sheriff's department would evaluate its transportation procedures. He said the department may consider the use of a bus in the future.