2 suspected illegal immigrants arrested, search on for others

Apr. 20, 2012 09:59 AM


Authorities are searching for two people near Wild Horse Pass Boulevard and Interstate 10 after Department of Public Safety officials arrested two others suspected of being smuggled into the country illegally.

The incident began when DPS officers attempted to pull over a Ford Expedition near I-10 and Chandler Boulevard around 6 a.m. Friday, DPS spokesman Bart Graves said.

After the vehicle stopped, it sped away from the officers, DPS said. Local authorities were alerted, and the SUV was soon found in the nearby Gila River Indian Community, Graves said.

Tribal police found the SUV in an industrial parking lot and arrested two suspected illegal immigrants who were believed to be in the process of being smuggled into the country. Weapons and food were also found in the SUV, Graves said.

At least three handguns and a rifle were found in the vehicle, DPS Sgt. Jim Benitez said.

Authorities are searching for two others in the area, one of which is suspected of smuggling the others into the country, Graves said.

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