Border Patrol: 11 arrested following vehicle pursuit

A driver was arrested after he attempted to flee from Border Patrol agents and tried to smuggle ten undocumented immigrants inside his vehicle near Mount Signal Road and Highway 98 Monday evening.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at around 11:15 p.m. Monday, agents noticed a Jeep Cherokee without lights traveling northbound on Mount Signal Road. Agents responded and attempted to make a vehicle stop as it traveled eastbound on Highway 98.

The Jeep attempted to escape and failed to stop, CBP officials said. Agents pursued the Jeep and were able to quickly end the pursuit using a controlled tire deflation device.

Authorities said the driver, a 30-year-old man of Mexico, and all occupants were taken into custody. The Jeep was also seized.

“El Centro Sector agents will not tolerate vehicle incursions into the United States,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “The threat of not knowing who or what is being brought into this country in a vehicle without proper inspection is unacceptable. We will detect you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

The incident remains under investigation.