SAN ANTONIO -- Officials say five foreign nationals arrested after breaking into the old Bexar County Courthouse aren't believed to be dangerous and are cooperating with investigators.
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said surveillance video from inside the courthouse early Wednesday shows the men wearing sombreros and waving around a gavel. He says they appear to "just be some guys on a prank."
Had the two men who broke into the courthouse been from San Antonio, Wolff said the investigation would have been ruled a prank long ago.
“But when it’s people from another country, who have only been here a short while, it raises a lot of concerns,” he said.
Around 1:00 a.m. Wednesday two men were caught inside the Bexar County Courthouse.
Investigators said the courthouse’s security cameras show the men climbing a fire escape and entering the courthouse through a fourth floor window.
The men allegedly took a judges gavel from one courtroom and two sombreros from an office.
“It is very likely that these individuals were just intoxicated,” said Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz. “ They might not of even known what this building was.”
Three additional men were found outside the courthouse inside a parked RV. Also in the RV were 90-day visas, maps, cell phones and computers.
All five men, Adil Ajiad, Camile Huet, Hicham Ajjaid,, Mehdi Ajjaid, and Meissa Mithra, are in the United States on visas from France and are of Moroccan decent, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies arrested the men for burglary, while the F.B.I. questioned them.
”There is no reason to believe it was a terrorist activity of any description,” said Ortiz Wednesday afternoon.
Regardless, Assistant Bexar County District Attorney Cliff Herberg said he will be asking for a high bond.
“These are foreign nationals and they have the ability to leave the country,” he explained. “Out of an abundance of caution, we will be seeking a high bond on the charges.”
Officers had called in bomb-sniffing dogs, as well as the FBI and federal immigration agents.
