Suspected illegal immigrants apprehended after car chase
August 25, 2007 - Posted at 12:00 a.m.
and Rebecca Holm - VICTORIA ADVOCATE

EDNA - Seven suspected illegal immigrants were apprehended after a car chase through two counties Friday afternoon.
Just after 1:30 p.m., a Victoria County deputy was on a routine patrol on U.S. Highway 59 near Inez when he spotted a vehicle speeding toward him, said Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor.

The deputy tried to stop the small compact car by turning on his lights and siren, said O'Connor.

The vehicle slowed down to about 20 miles per hour and pulled over to the shoulder, but it did not stop.

The car sped up once again and crossed into Jackson County, the sheriff said.

Once the vehicle crossed the county line, Department of Public Safety Trooper Don Bolton joined the pursuit.

The chase continued up to a creek bed "right before you get to the Edna exit," said O'Connor, adding that the pursuit, which also included the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and police department, continued for many miles before the vehicle went off the roadway.

"We finally got the car pulled over," said Jackson County Sheriff Andy Louderback. "It took the ditch there by the south side of 59 by the main bridge of the Lavaca River."
Louderback said that the vehicle came to a stop after entering the ditch and lightly striking a tree. The occupants in the car jumped out of the car and fled on foot.

O'Connor said eight people were in the car, three of whom were hiding in the trunk.

"We didn't know (the people were in the trunk), and I ran by the car ... I took off into the brush for about 30 to 35 minutes, we probably lost two best we can tell," said Louderback.

The occupants, whose names, ages and residences were unknown to either sheriff, were taken into custody by the Jackson deputies.

The group was then released to the U.S. Border Patrol around 4:30 p.m., Louderback said.

http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/233/ ... 11728.html