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  4. Philadelphia CBP Arrests Delaware Man Twice Exactly 365 Days Apart

Philadelphia CBP Arrests Delaware Man Twice Exactly 365 Days Apart

Release Date
Thu, 06/12/2014

PHILADELPHIA – It wasn’t déjà vu, but it sure seemed like it to one U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at Philadelphia International Airport when he arrested a wanted person Tuesday, exactly one year to the date that the same officer initially arrested the wanted man, on the same charges and after the person returned from the same foreign location.

John L. Combs, 49, with addresses in Smyrna, Del., and Philadelphia, returned from a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. CBP officers noticed that he had an arrest warrant for failure to appear on the initial criminal charges that CBP officers arrested him for last June. The Kent County, Del., charges are for criminal mischief of $5,000 or more, and for violating a protection from abuse order filed by his ex-wife.

CBP officers confirmed that the warrant remained active and that Delaware desired extradition. Officers then verified that Combs was the wanted person. Officers arrested him and transported him to Tinicum Township Police.

 “U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers maintain a vigilant watch on our nation’s borders and from time to time we encounter travelers wanted for a variety of criminal offenses. We work diligently with our law enforcement partners to return wanted persons to justice to face their criminal charges,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia.

The charges and allegations contained in criminal complaints are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Visit CBP’s Travel webpage to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

Visit CBP's Border Security webpage to learn how CBP secures our nation’s borders.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021