Suspected Smuggler And Illegal Immigrants Elude Bishop Police Chief

Updated: March 2, 2009 04:55 PM PST



PETRONILA - What started as an attempted traffic stop around 11:30 a.m. Monday ended in a foot chase involving a suspected smuggler and three illegal immigrants.

Bishop Police Chief Larry Lawrence told KRIS 6 News he was patrolling in Bishop on FM 70 and Business 77 Monday morning when he saw two vehicles driving bumper to bumper.

After running the license plates of both vehicles, he found out neither had car insurance. That is when he turned on his emergency lights and tried to pull them over.

The front vehicle, a Dodge pickup, quickly turned south on Business 77.

The vehicle closest to the chief's car, a dark blue Suburban, sped off and led the police chief to FM 3354 in Petronila.

Police told 6 News that is when the driver jumped out. Shortly after, three passengers exited the vehicle on the passenger's side and ran.

They have not been seen since. Border Patrol agents are still searching the area.

6 News also learned the other truck that got away from police initially may have been carrying illegals also.

The police chief was not injured in the incident, but there is no word on the suspects at this time.

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