C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers at Texas Bridge Apprehend Kidnapper

(Wednesday, September 29, 2010)

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo, Texas International Bridge yesterday apprehended a fugitive wanted by a Texas police department on a felony charge of aggravated kidnapping.

CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a female traveler attempting to enter the U.S. who was identified as Vanessa Casas, a U.S. citizen, age 22 from Edinburg, Texas. A check of a national database by a CBP officer revealed that Casas was listed as a wanted person. The warrant identified Casas as fugitive wanted by the Alton, Texas, Police Department on an alleged felony charge of aggravated kidnapping.

After her arrest, Casas was transferred to the custody of the Alton, Texas police.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, said, “In our work to secure our nation’s borders, our frontline officers screen arriving international travelers. In this process our mission is to facilitate legitimate travel and at the same time identify travelers listed as fugitives. I commend our officers for their roles in apprehending this fugitive.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Felix Garza
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (956) 843-5717

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2010_2.xml