Border Patrol agents arrest 2: burglary suspect and sex offender
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two men during separate encounters on Tuesday and discovered one to be a U.S. citizen wanted in Phoenix for burglary, while the other was identified as a registered sex offender from Mexico.
The first encounter occurred when agents assigned to the Integrated Targeting Team (ITT) in Blythe participated in a vehicle stop.
After agents identified the driver as a U.S. citizen wanted in Phoenix for burglary, they searched his vehicle and found multiple items including an unloaded Smith and Wesson revolver.
They also found checkbooks, credit cards, watches, high-end shoes, and passports belonging to people the suspect did not know.
Agents contacted the Phoenix Police Department who later took custody of the man and the stolen items.
Later in the day, agents assigned to Yuma Station were working near Andrade, California, when they noticed footprints heading north from the international border.
Agents followed the tracks until they found Juan Lazaro-Ojeda, 38, allegdly attempting to hide from the agents.
Agents arrested Lazaro for entering the U.S. illegally and later identified him as an aggravated felon and registered sex offender. He was convicted for “engaging in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child.”
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 may remain anonymous.