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  4. Woman Smuggler Arrested After Fleeing I-8 Checkpoint

Woman Smuggler Arrested After Fleeing I-8 Checkpoint

Release Date
Thu, 11/12/2015

PINE VALLEY, Calif. — Wednesday, an interagency effort between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the U.S. Border Patrol led to the arrest of a woman who fled from a checkpoint on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley, Calif.

At approximately 5 p.m., the woman, a 54-year-old U.S. citizen, approached the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on I-8 and was referred for a secondary inspection.  As agents began to conduct an inspection, the woman fled the checkpoint westbound onto I-8.

A CHP officer assisted agents with the pursuit.  The woman failed to yield to the CHP officer and the pursuit led to El Cajon, Calif., where she exited onto 2nd Street.  The vehicle pursuit ended when the woman hit the back of a Jeep Wrangler that was waiting at a stop light.

After the collision, the woman abruptly jumped out of her vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by a CHP officer.  Agents searched the vehicle and found a 39-year-old male Mexican national who was locked inside the car trunk. Visibly shaken, the man sustained bruises and was short of breath when agents encountered him. 

The female driver faces federal charges for human smuggling and high-speed flight from a Border Patrol checkpoint, among other violations from CHP.  The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

As a part of its strategic plan, the U.S. Border Patrol integrates efforts and coordination with international, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to provide a rapid response to threats.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021