Border Patrol Searching for Suspected Illegal Immigrants

By Mitch Bryan

Posted: Jan 30, 2010 10:57 PM
Updated: Jan 30, 2010 10:59 PM

DRISCOLL -- County police and border patrol agents had their hands full Saturday evening, as they searched for a group of suspected illegal immigrants.

Border patrol agents tore their way through thick brush, in search of a group of suspected illegal immigrants.

Police say it started when they tried to pull over a vehicle for speeding near County Road 95 and 18, outside of Driscoll. But the driver refused to stop and got stuck in a field. That's when 22 people poured out of the vehicle and disappeared into the trees.

Homeowner Juan Luis watched some of the group as they cut through his property.

"We saw four immigrants walking back here; we saw one on the left side over here on this tree. We saw two of them running through here in the parking lot and the other two were running on the other side," Luis said.

The agents formed a perimeter around where the suspects vanished, but the going was tough. Officers were able to capture four of the 22 individuals. As the night grew colder, a second team was called out bringing along a thermal sensor that will allow them to round up the rest, tracking them by their body heat. And though officials say they should have the rest in custody tonight, the incident has left some residents keeping a close eye on their homes.

"Yeah, it concerns us pretty bad. Right now we're just going to keep watching the place," Luis said.

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