Douglas Police apprehend 61 undocumented aliens

By Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 10:56 AM MDT


A high speed vehicle pursuit along Highway 191 led to the discovery of a 61 undocumented aliens at a stash house in Douglas.


A total of 61 undocumented aliens were apprehended when a high-speed chase helps lead Douglas Police to stash house.

Mark Gonzalez of the Douglas Police Department said DPD detectives were first alerted to a white 2001 Ford F-250 pickup bearing an Arizona alternative fuel license plate, fueling up at a local gasoline station with regular unleaded gas.

“Detectives maintained visual contact of the pickup as it entered the mobile home park at 810 21st Street,” Gonzalez said. “There the detectives observed several people load up into the pickup and the pickup drove off.”

Gonzalez said the detectives followed the vehicle onto Highway 191 where they attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop.”

Gonzalez said speed of the fleeing vehicle reached approximately 105 miles per hour.

“Detectives engaged in a short pursuit of the vehicle to mile marker 11,” he said. “The driver of the vehicle then drove his vehicle off-road on the west side of Highway 191 for a short distance, then bailed out of the pickup while it was still rolling.”

Gonzalez said detectives noticed several people jump out of the pickup bed and passenger compartment while the pickup was still rolling.

The detectives stopped the vehicle, secured it, and chased the driver on foot apprehending him following a brief foot pursuit.

Rene Vasquez-Guzman, 23, of Mexico was arrested for several felony violations including: Unlawful Flight from Pursuing Law Enforcement, 14 counts of Endangerment and Smuggling of Human Beings-all felonies in the State of Arizona.

Douglas Police Detectives, with the assistance of other police patrol units, U.S. Border Patrol units, GIITEM Detectives, an officer of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and an officer of the Arizona Department of Public Safety apprehended the rest of the passengers-a total of 15 which included the driver.

“All passengers, including the driver, voluntarily admitted to police that they had entered the U.S. illegally,” Gonzalez said. “Detectives immediately contacted other police patrol units in town to secure the mobile home from which these undocumented aliens were picked up.”

Once the mobile home was secured 46 more undocumented aliens inside the mobile home were apprehended.

“All undocumented aliens, from both the vehicle and mobile home, were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol, with the exception of the driver Vasquez-Guzman,” Gonzalez said.

Vasquez-Guzman was transported to Cochise County Jail for detention.

The investigation is continuing.

 

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    John wrote on Mar 23, 2010 8:09 PM:

    " There does not appear to be much of a misbehavior or mistreatment in the above matter. We supposedly have laws requiring potencial immigrants to come here to this country by "filling out the right papers". If they don't obey our laws, they shouldn't be allowed in...no matter where they may come from. Pretty simple. BUTTTTT...are we carrying out the purpose of our written laws, when numerous immigrants simply walk in? Doesn't look like it. And that shows that we, as a country, are in trouble. "

    Ralph wrote on Aug 7, 2009 6:09 PM:

    " Obviously a clear cut case of "profiling". They were only targeting Ford F-250 vehicles, which is clearly againast the directives of the 287(g) program. Just a huumble attempt at humor. But we need to take all legal steps to stop this invasion and deport those illegal aliens who are already here whether it comes to the attention of the police as a result of a murder or a broken tail light. "

    Todd wrote on Aug 6, 2009 3:45 PM:

    " If they are here illegally------
    DEPORT THEM ALL! "

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