FALFURRIAS, TEXAS—In two separate incidents Wednesday, human smugglers, who were attempting to flee, used their vehicles to assault U.S. Border Patrol agents.
The first incident occurred early that morning near Encino when agents assigned to the Falfurrias Station attempted to stop a Chevrolet Siverado that abruptly switched directions on U.S. Highway 281 North at a crossover. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder and several illegal immigrants jumped out and fled. The driver then slammed the truck into reverse and rammed the Border Patrol vehicle. After ramming the vehicle the driver sped off and crashed through a gate, at which time the driver abandoned the truck and fled. Agents apprehended five Guatemalan nationals, who were illegally present in the United States. The driver was not located.
The other vehicular assault took place near the borderline between Brooks and Hidalgo counties on U.S. Highway 281 when agents performing roving patrol were notified of two vehicles involved in a human smuggling incident.
Agents intercepted one of the vehicles, a Chervrolet Suburban, and pulled it over. Another Border Patrol unit arrived and parked in front of the smuggler's vehicle. As agents approached the vehicle on foot, the smuggler attempted to drive away, intentionally striking the unit parked in front of him. After the driver struck the vehicle, multiple people jumped out and ran. The driver and one illegal immigrant were arrested.
To report suspicious activity, call the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector's toll-free telephone number at (800) 863-9382.