C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Detain Fugitive Escapee Wanted by U.S. Marshals Service

(Wednesday, June 24, 2009)

Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge detained a male northbound traveler who arrived at the pedestrian lanes and surrendered himself to CBP officers.

On June 23, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge northbound pedestrian lanes came in contact with a male traveler. While at pedestrian primary, the traveler identified himself as Gabriel Lopez Arrellano, a U.S. citizen, age 30 residing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Lopez Arrellano told officers that he was a fugitive and wished to surrender.

In secondary, officers verified that Lopez Arrellano was listed as a federal fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on a federal charge of escape. The warrant identified Lopez Arrellano as an escapee for not reporting to a designated halfway house to complete his drug related sentence. After his arrest, Lopez Arrellano was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and remains incarcerated.

Dave Fluty, CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “Our officers did great work in securing this man and coordinating his release to the U.S. Marshals Service.â€