Rio Grande Valley Authorities Capture Escaped Smuggling Suspect

June 1, 2011

MISSION, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials credit the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office and the Alton Police Department for the capture of a suspected smuggler who had escaped from federal custody.

Officials say Victor Arriaga-Chavez ran when deputies tried to talk to him this morning, but he was captured a short time later. the suspect admitted that he was in the country illegally and when officials discovered his true identity he was arrested.

Officials say he escaped from federal custody while before he was arraigned on immigrant smuggling charges, but did not reveal when the escape occurred.

Arriaga-Chavez now faces charges for the escape and will be deported.

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