Thread: Police Chase Car Carrying Illegal Immigrants in Penitas

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PENITAS
Police Chase Car Carrying Illegal Immigrants

Aug 15, 2006 10:13 PM PDT

Reported by Romeo Cantu

It was a scary ride for about a dozen illegal immigrants Tuesday as their smuggler took them on a high-speed chase with Penitas police and it was all caught on tape.

The routine traffic stop turned into a dangerous chase shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday on Expressway 83 in Penitas.

A police officer was trying to pull the car over for an expired license plate, but the driver wouldn't stop, so the officer gave chase.

"It lasted for about 45 minutes and ended over here on the riverbanks," said Penitas Police Chief Oscar Ontiveros.

Ontiveros said that the driver of the car was a human-trafficking smuggler and was carrying about a dozen illegal immigrants from Honduras.

The chase was recorded on video from a camera mounted on the patrol car's dashboard.

First on the expressway and then on dirt roads, investigators said that the smuggler was dangerously weaving in-and-out of traffic.

"(The car was traveling) approximately up to 80mph," Ontiveros said. "Usually, (the smugglers) don't have any concern for the people they are carrying. That vehicle was carrying about 12 to 13 people."

The car finally came to a stop close to where police believe it picked up the immigrants along the Rio Grande.

Everyone in the front of the car, including the smuggler, bailed out and headed for the river.

Ontiveros said that one reason the car was able to hold so many people was because the back seat had been removed.

But even more surprising was what the officer found when she popped open the car's trunk -- four men hiding out.

"It's kind of sad, because they're probably dehydrated and scared and probably injured in the course of the pursuit," Ontiveros said.

Video showed one of the men hiding in the trunk escaping.

The other three Hondurans were taken into Border Patrol custody and are said to be doing well.

As for those that escaped, police said that they were able to get into rafts and once again cross the Rio Grande back in to Mexico, but officers believe these men will probably be heading back.

Ontiveros said that dealing with illegal immigrants is a daily occurrence for his department and said that it's a big problem, especially since he has a small police force.

As for those that escaped, police said that they were able to get into rafts and once again cross the Rio Grande back in to Mexico, but officers believe these men will probably be heading back.

Sounds like they had an escape plan.

Dixie

Well there's more job interviewers who didn't make their appointments.

DARN IT!!! It sucks to be them.

Sigh, see my sig.

well, at least no one was wounded or died because that officer might be awaiting a jail sentence