10 suspected illegal immigrants nabbed after pursuit

by Najat Omer - Dec. 2, 2008 12:19 PM
The Arizona Republic

Department of Public Safety officers took 10 suspected illegal immigrants into custody after an early morning pursuit Tuesday on Interstate 10.

At around 5 a.m., a DPS officer heading west on I-10 attempted to pull over a 1993 Chevrolet crew-crab pickup with a camper shell for an equipment violation, Public Information Officer Robert Bailey with DPS said.

The driver did not stop. The officer followed the car, which exited at Ray Road before going back onto the I-10 and traveling east. The officer followed the vehicle to the Queen Creek exit. The driver headed straight for the desert off of Riggs Road, Bailey said.

People in the truck tossed out items, including backpacks and bags that contained clothing, food water and other desert survival items, Bailey said.

Several people fled from the truck and two people were found inside of the vehicle. The truck was seized by DPS. Ten suspected undocumented immigrants were taken into custody. Officers are not sure if the driver was one of the people in custody Tuesday morning.

DPS officers were assisted by Phoenix Police Firebird helicopter and Gila River Indian Community Police Department in the chase.

No further updates were immediately available.

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