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January 11, 2008

Alleged boiler installer detained as illegal immigrant

PROVIDENCE -- A man who helped install the boiler that authorities believe may have caused the deaths of three people has been taken into federal custody as an illegal immigrant, according to the police.

Alex Menendez-Mendez, 23, of Providence has been taken into custody by Immigration Customs Enforcement agents, who were notified after Providence police detectives interviewed Menendez-Mendez.

The police said they learned during the interview that Menendez-Mendez had illegally entered the U.S. from Guatemala about three years ago.

Sonia Flores, Marco Herrera and 14-year-old Ryan Aleman were found dead inside the house at 345 Blackstone St. this week. The police have removed a boiler, vent piping and a hot-water heater from the house as evidence. Investigators have said improper installation appears to have caused the carbon monoxide poisonings.

The news release this evening said detectives learned the identity of "one of those persons" who installed or helped install the boiler. The release made no mention of whether Menendez-Mendez will be charged by the police, but it said the investigation into the South Providence deaths continues.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:40 PM | Permalink

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Talk about bad timing | January 11, 2008 8:28 PM link

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