DPS: Officer assaulted by illegal immigrant


Published/Last Modified on Saturday, July 26, 2008 3:06 PM MDT


TOMBSTONE — A Department of Public Safety officer was assaulted by an illegal immigrant following a traffic stop Thursday, the agency said Friday.


The vehicle, which had been pulled over for unsafe lane use, stopped and then sped away as the officer approached the vehicle, stopping in a dirt pullout, according to the DPS. The driver, also an illegal immigrant, tried to run, then the officer tried to restrain him, at which time the officer was attacked by a passenger who attempted to choke him. After the officer broke free, the men fled.

Six other illegal immigrants were in the vehicle and held at gunpoint by the officer until help arrived. The two men who fled were arrested by Border Patrol agents at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday.

The officer was not hurt.

Eliaquim Lopez, 21, of Mexico, was booked into the Cochise County Jail, charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and hindering prosecution. Jesus Tapia of Mexico was arrested on charges of unlawful flight from a police officer and escape.

Comments

    Ivan wrote on Jul 30, 2008 7:43 PM:

    " I am glad all these people, wrote a comment in response to the assault on the DPS Officer, what I don't understand is why Border Patrol Agent get assaulted everyday and no one seems to care. There is an article on this website a few lines above the DPS Officer's article about a Border Patrol Agent being injured by an illegal alien and on one bothered to write any coments there. "

    statb wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:26 AM:

    " Build the dam fence keep them out of theis country
    Good job for all that are inforceing our laws "

    Jules wrote on Jul 28, 2008 10:18 AM:

    " These illegals aliens are getting bolder and bolder as each day passes. They blatantly break our laws and have nothing but disrespect and distain for our police forces - murder, killer gangs, drugs, rape and molestation of minors, drunk driving and drunk driving that leads to murder of innocent American citizens. Amercan citizens are close to their breaking point with these illegals. "

    Jeffersonian wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:01 AM:

    " Its no wonder that illegals feel free to break any law they choose to ignore. The politically correct, don't hold them accountable mentality that permiates today's society is destroying the social fablic of this country.
    Don't bother to learn english, don't worry about the theft of schooling, social services, or some American workers job. They have a "right" to do whatever they want because Mexico is a corrupt, crime ridden, crap hole.
    And the US is following suit, rapidly. "

    June wrote on Jul 28, 2008 7:34 AM:

    " I hope that the two presidential contenders think long and hard before they bestow our most precious birthright - citizenship - on illegal aliens. Ask the mother and wife who lost her family to a murderous illegal. Ask the parents of Jamail Shaw who suffered the same fate. This people are criminals from the time they set foot on American soil. Once in, they continue piling up the crimes. I don't think our senators know the US Code. If they'll check Title 8, Sec. 1325, they'll see that even being here illegally is a federal offense. Remind Washington. Take action! "

    LadyM wrote on Jul 28, 2008 5:28 AM:

    " Why does this surprise anyone? If they will break the law to come here what makes anyone think they wouldn't break the laws once they get here. Laws mean nothing to them, look where they come from. And our Government is pushing to turn this country into the same 3rd World cesspool! Time for the American citizens to make their voices heard in the next election and put a stop to the lunacy! Do not re-elect anyone that puts these illegal invaders above citizens !! "

    Anyomous American wrote on Jul 28, 2008 1:39 AM:

    " Just doing jobs Americans don't want to do!

    What a great example they make for the rest of the immigrants doing just that.

    Enough is enough, start enforcing the LAW!

    Meridian Relief fund would be better spent on Border security than giving the 1.5 BILLION to Mexico to stop smuggling on their end, which will go directly into the corrupt officials pockets like always. Nothing is changing - we give them Billions and they give us criminals. "

    John M. wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:54 PM:

    " I'm glad that the officer is fine and I'm even happier that the illegal alien who assaulted him was caught. We don't need the added headaches from illegal aliens who commit crimes against Americans since we have our own homegrown crimminals to deal with. "

    Oregonrr wrote on Jul 27, 2008 10:41 PM:

    " Immigrants with health problems. It would appear that mentally ill people are ill, and therefore should be expunged from the waiting rooms. We need a buffer before access to our legal system. And, we need to not extend special benefits to those fleeing Gang Violence as "Political refugees."

    America has become a land of the naive narcissists, and we need to vote 'em out of office. "

    Gary Rose wrote on Jul 27, 2008 9:13 PM:

    " People in the USA better wake .Mexico needs tobe taken seriously .This is no Game Thepeople are brainwashed from Infants on up to hate us .They sneak and Disrespect our Laws and US. Thenthey have access to phony ID so they probably switch when needed .Wecant Imagine all the crimes that are committed. ThenMexico hands them a Guide and How to avoid the Border Patrol WAKE UP USA GRR "

    Janice wrote on Jul 27, 2008 8:05 PM:

    " You think that incident is bad.

    Go to U-tube and place:

    *Mexican Insurgency in Baldwin Park*

    on the U-tube search engine.

    You will not believe your eyes! "

    albert wrote on Jul 27, 2008 6:07 PM:

    " god bless those officers out there "

    kitty wrote on Jul 27, 2008 2:33 PM:

    " Round them all up and DEPORT! from airplane 30,000 feet in the air! end of problem end of leeches "

    Rose M wrote on Jul 27, 2008 5:33 AM:

    " Thank heavens the officer wasn't injured or worse. I just can't understand how and why anyone defends these criminals. "

    Bobby wrote on Jul 27, 2008 2:08 AM:

    " All I can say is that the "new Immigrants", just blow me away with their show of disrespect for Americans of all kinds. It's amazing how empowered they feel to just break more laws besides the one of sneaking over the border illegally. Good citizen material--don't you think? And please, this is just one example of hundreds if not thousands, of their utter lack of respect for the citizens of the foreign nation they have criminally broken the laws of. "

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