Two arrested after eluding Border Patrol


Published/Last Modified on Monday, February 23, 2009 9:49 PM MST


Two Cochise County residents were arrested after leading Douglas Police on a chase through town.


On February 14, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Douglas Police assisted the U.S. Border Patrol in an attempt to locate a vehicle that had fled from Border Patrol from MM 3 on Hwy 191 to the U.S. Port of Entry.

 The vehicle was described as a white Cadillac bearing Arizona license plates.  The vehicle was last seen dropping off undocumented aliens at the U.S. Port of Entry, then fleeing at a high rate of speed eastbound on 1st St.

Shortly thereafter, Police located the vehicle at 9th St. and C Avenue and attempted to stop the vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle refused to stop for police and fled from police at a high rate of speed north on A Avenue. 

The vehicle then turned east on Hwy 80 and continued to flee from police at a high rate of speed.  The vehicle turned north on Washington Avenue, but lost control and suffered a right front tire blowout. 

The driver still refused to stop for police and continued to flee, now south on Washington Avenue.  The vehicle collided with a power pole guide wire at the southwest corner of the Hwy 80 and Washington Avenue intersection.  Police were finally able to apprehend and detain the driver of the vehicle, Stephen C. Haase 8-1-87, along with a female passenger in the vehicle, Jessica Nicole Sharp 9-16-88. 

Both vehicle occupants are from the Sierra Vista/Hereford area.  A search of the vehicle turned up an AK 47 assault rifle in the trunk of the vehicle, along with ammunition for the rifle and other ammunition.  Police turned over custody of the vehicle, property, and occupants to the U.S. Border Patrol for prosecution.

Police filed separate charges on the driver of the vehicle for Unlawful Flight from pursuing Law Enforcement, a class 5 felony.

 

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Grateful Citizen wrote on Mar 1, 2009 6:29 PM:

    " U c Mr. Barnett this is how the law enforcement works. Allow the real men to do their jobs. And by the way the 2 apprehended don't sound latino to me. For decades in Cochise County we have try to communicate to the public that the problem is also within us in the United States and not always 100% of the time from Mexico. Remember just dial 911 and allow everybody who can assist in arresting the wrongdoers do their jobs. Again thank u to the Douglas Police Dept and Border Patrol. Normally my mother walks from the church on 10th St and C Ave home to 8th St anc C Ave. and she could have been an innocent victim had this played out differently. Bless u all again for the outstanding job. "

    Thanks wrote on Feb 27, 2009 1:18 PM:

    " Thanks to law enforcement for taking these "citizens" off the streets who endangered not only the lives of the officers and agents but the community as well. Hopefully these criminals will get the book thrown at them and not just receive a slap on the hand. "

    Law Dawg wrote on Feb 27, 2009 12:57 PM:

    " He was chased towards the POE and the aliens fled the vehicle in an attempt not to be apprehended by USBP, but they were caught and turned over. "

    Ricardo de la Torre wrote on Feb 25, 2009 2:44 PM:

    " Could someone please explain to me the statement that "The vehicle was last seen dropping off undocumented aliens at the U.S. Port of Entry"?
    Why in the world would they be dropped off there, when they were attempting to "immigrate" into America?
    If Haase was fleeing from Border Patrol, was he dropping off the aliens so that they could get back into Mexico before being arrested?
    And how about the four that fyi says were apprehended after attempting to flee the vehicle?
    This was not a well-written article. "

    Donald09 wrote on Feb 25, 2009 2:20 PM:

    " Great job DPD! Let's make sure the "citizens" get the maximum penalty for people smuggling and weapons charges. Its good to know the illegals were apprehended as well . Again kudos to DPD for a job well done. "

    fyi wrote on Feb 24, 2009 4:08 AM:

    " Great cooperation by all agencies. Just for information 4 undocumented aliens were apprehended after attempting to flee the vehicle. The contents of the trunk really make you think what could have played out. Great Job to everyone and keep up the great work! "

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