DEL RIO, Texas – Comstock Border Patrol agents on Monday arrested a man sought by authorities in Midland, after the subject led agents on a vehicle chase just north of Comstock on Highway 163.
“This incident highlights the cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together to keep the public safe, and apprehend dangerous subjects as quickly and safely as possible,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rodolfo Karisch.
The U.S. Marshals Service was contacted by the Midland Police Department to assist with locating and apprehending Carl W. Wiley, 48, wanted in connection with a murder and attempted murder in south Midland over the weekend. The U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Midland, Pecos, Del Rio and El Paso Divisions quickly mobilized and began assisting with the search for Wiley.
A lookout bulletin for Wiley was released to all law enforcement agencies in the area. At approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, Sanderson Border Patrol agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a pickup truck registered to Wiley on Highway 90 East near Sanderson. The subject bailed out of the vehicle and absconded into the brush spurring a multi-agency manhunt including U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, Sheriff’s Deputies, and the U.S. Marshal Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. Firearm magazines were recovered from the abandoned pick-up truck leading law enforcement personnel to believe the subject was possibly armed with a handgun.
Monday afternoon, Comstock Border Patrol agents observed a dually pick-up truck abruptly turn around just before the immigration checkpoint on Highway 90 and head toward Comstock. The vehicle was then spotted on Highway 163 just north of Comstock, where agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. The driver failed to yield and drove through a ranch gate, bailed out of the vehicle and attempted to abscond. A foot chase ensued and the driver fired several shots at the pursuing agents. The agents were able to corner the subject, ordered him to drop his weapon and placed him under arrest without firing a shot. The driver was positively identified as Carl W. Wiley, sought in connection with a homicide investigation in Midland, and subject of an active manhunt near Sanderson. A .45-caliber revolver was recovered at the scene of the arrest and the dually pickup truck was found to be stolen from a ranch near Sanderson.
Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “This arrest highlights the U.S. Marshals Service commitment to assisting our federal, state and local partners in their endeavors to bring violent offenders to justice in an efficient and speedy manner.”
Wiley was turned over to the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office pending extradition to Midland in connection with the homicide investigation.
On July 2, a federal grand jury in Del Rio indicted Wiley attempted murder of a federal agent. If convicted, Wiley could face up to 20 years imprisonment plus up to 10 years for the use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.