ICE officers take five men into custody Thursday in South Williamsport.

Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents identified, detained and took into custody Thursday five men working on a roof at a property in the 800 block of West Southern Avenue in South Williamsport, borough officials and an area resident who watched this raid unfold confirmed.

Two of the individuals attempted to elude agents by entering the property, but they were apprehended.

The witness said he noticed the activity along with a police presence from South Williamsport Police Department and Williamsport Bureau of Police along with South Williamsport Fire Department and began to take photographs.

The fire department assisted with ladder truck to get the agents onto the roof, the witness said.

The witness who wanted to remain anonymous said there was a vehicle from Rail Roofing parked outside of the house. He said the identified agents arrived in SUVs that were unmarked.

ICE officers take five men into custody Thursday in South Williamsport.

He watched and said two of the individuals on the roof pulled boards off the roof and entered the house. Those remaining on the roof were taken into custody.

“Nobody was hurt and it was impressive,” the witness said. He added he was grateful to ICE and the local police and firefighters for their response. The incident lasted close to an hour, he estimated.

Because he is familiar with this type of industry, the witness told the Sun-Gazette that there may be companies that are using potentially undocumented workers who are in the country illegally because they are paid far less than others in this field. The homeowners are not likely aware of companies using undocumented workers, if they were, and are only given a quote for the job.

The Sun-Gazette has reached out to ICE for comment.

ICE officers take five men into custody Thursday.

ICE officers take five men into custody Thursday in South Williamsport.