After an extensive investigation by Cape Girardeau authorities, two employees of local Mexican restaurants were arrested in late June -- and two others are wanted -- based on allegations they gained employment with the use of false documents.

According to officer Darin Hickey, Tereso Salinas, 30, and Francisca Salinas-Carmona, 30, are undocumented immigrants and signed tax forms with improper information to get hired. Each person used an invalid visa or Social Security card, Hickey said.

Warrants were issued for their arrests in April. Salinas and Salinas-Carmona were arrested June 23 at El Torero at 2120 William St., where they worked. The two also were formerly employed at El Acapulco on Mount Auburn Road.

The two are charged with forgery, and both have preliminary hearings Aug. 1. Both are free on bond.

Everardo Hernandez, 25, and Ramon Soriano, 20, two other El Acapulco employees, are accused of the same crime. Warrants are still active for their arrest. Anyone with knowledge of their whereabouts should contact Cape Girardeau police at 335-6621.

Hickey said this sort of case takes some time to investigate because of the difficulty of obtaining the false documents filed by the suspects. Cape Girardeau officer Freddie Hill is often the investigating officer. Hickey said he is fluent in Spanish and is knowledgeable on what to look on documentation for American citizens.

Hill was not available to talk about the case Thursday.

Management at El Torero declined to comment on the case. Al Munoz, manager at El Acapulco, said Salinas and Salinas-Carmona worked for him for less than a year. Their documents, he said, looked legitimate.

"I turn everything into our bookkeeper, and they monitor the paperwork," he said.

Munoz had no other comment on the case.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

202 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO