A routine vehicle stop in Fort Hancock on Monday turned into a high-speed chase and ended in the arrest of five individuals, including a Mexican citizen who is a known gang member.
According to U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Chief Jason Owens, agents attempted to stop a Range Rover on the evening of May 6. However, the vehicle failed to yield, initiating a pursuit that led to a crash. The vehicle’s occupants then attempted to flee on foot, but USBP agents swiftly apprehended all five individuals.
Among those arrested was a Mexican national identified as a member of the Paisas gang. The gang, known for its involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal activities, has long been a target of law enforcement efforts.
What is particularly alarming about this arrest is that the gang member had a prior order of removal, indicating a history of unlawful entry or criminal activity in the United States. USBP confirmed that this prior order will be reinstated, ensuring that the individual is removed from the country in accordance with immigration laws.
This incident comes less than a week after Border Patrol agents in Texas intercepted three other individuals with criminal records attempting to enter the United States unlawfully.
Owens reported that the previous apprehensions occurred in Eagle Pass, Rio Grande City, and Cotulla. All three individuals had prior felony convictions related to indecency with a child involving sexual contact. However, their names and further details about their convictions were not disclosed, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Across the country, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations apprehended a total of 73,822 unlawful migrants with criminal histories last year.
These individuals collectively faced 290,178 charges and convictions, averaging four per person. Among these were 33,209 assault charges, 4,390 charges related to sex and sexual assault, 7,520 weapons offenses, 1,713 homicide charges or convictions, and 1,655 kidnapping offenses, as reported by ICE.
