Yuma BP agents arrest 5 in joint effort with CHP
Driver of SUV is suspected of human smuggling
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents working near Interstate 8, arrested five individuals Friday morning following a short pursuit of a Chevrolet SUV, whose driver refused to pull over when agents attempted a traffic stop.
According to a press release from the Public Affairs Office, the California Highway Patrol notified the Yuma Sector Border Patrol that four individuals were seen climbing into a SUV and were traveling east toward Yuma.
Yuma Sector’s dispatch immediately notified the agents on duty east of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
Once agents spotted the vehicle, they attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver fled.
The pursuit ended in the parking lot of a furniture store near Giss Parkway with all five occupants of the vehicle attempting to flee on foot.
All five of the suspects were apprehended.
Agents arrested the driver, a 27-year-old U.S. citizen, for suspected human smuggling and seized the vehicle.
The four passengers, identified as illegal entrants from Mexico, were arrested for immigration violations. All subjects are being processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
There were no reports of any injuries and no damage or vehicle accidents occurred during the incident.
Yuma County residents can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.