C.B.P. News Release

Homicide Suspect Caught Attempting to Flee to Mexico

Weekend Activity at California Ports of Entry Includes Warrant Arrests, Currency Seizures, Narcotics Smuggling

(Monday, August 24, 2009)

San Diego — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry Saturday night caught a murder suspect as he was attempting to leave the United States and enter Mexico.

Just before 1:30 a.m., the San Diego County Sheriff’s department notified CBP officers at nearby ports of entry to be on the lookout for a white Ford F-150, driven by Hector Cortes, a man accused of fatally stabbing his roommate in San Marcos, Calif., and thought to be possibly heading for Mexico.

Approximately five minutes later, while conducting southbound inspections at the Otay Mesa port of entry, CBP officers observed a white Ford truck matching the description provided by the Sheriff’s department, and pulled it over for further inspection.

Based on information provided by the Sheriff’s department, CBP officers identified the driver as Hector Cortes, and turned custody of the suspect and his truck over to Sheriff’s deputies.

“This apprehension underscores the importance of our law enforcement presence on the southbound lanes leading out of the U.S.,â€