Human smugglers lead Pinal deputies on high speed chase
Posted: Nov 01, 2010 7:27 PM CDT
Updated: Nov 02, 2010 2:00 AM CDT



PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - A Pinal County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a pursuit of a vehicle used by human smugglers that at times reached 70 mph near a school.

Early on Monday morning a deputy noticed a 1998 Dodge Durango tailgating another vehicle with 8-12 human figures seated in the passenger compartment on Highway 287 near Eleven Mile Corner Road.

As the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle the driver fled and sped up to 70 mph in a 35 mph zone near Mary C. O Brien school. While fleeing the deputy the vehicle continued past a school bus with it's stop sign extended and lights flashing while it picked children up.

After continuing on Highway 287 the vehicle skidded off the road and came to a stop where 8-12 Hispanic males and females ran from the vehicle into a neighborhood. Two individuals who admitted they were from Mexico and were being transported by a coyote.

A perimeter was established and ICE and U.S. Border Patrol were called on to assist. A representative for the agencies told Pinal Deputies they could not respond for at least an hour.

Later in the day, 6 additional people were located hiding in a backyard and under a trailer, all admitted they were from Mexico and were turned over to Border Patrol agents.

The vehicle involved in the pursuit was registered to Manuel Alonso Inzunza Moreno of Tempe Arizona. Authorities went to the address and spoke with Yeseria Azila Chavez who said her husband is the registered owner of the vehicle but his cousin Eloy Fabricio Inzunza Moreno falsely registered the vehicle in his name.

Yeseria identified that Eloy is a coyote who transports illegal immigrants into the United States from Mexico. There are four other vehicles that Eloy has registered under her husband's name.

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