A pair of criminals who are in the U.S. illegally were arrested during a high-stakes chase in Florida, authorities say.
Customs and Border Protection just released details about the bust, which unfolded on Sept. 10 in Broward County.
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers and agents assigned to Dania Beach Border Patrol Station attempted to pull over a suspicious van on Interstate 95, but the driver failed to yield.
During an ensuing pursuit, the fleeing driver “maneuvered erratically through heavy traffic” before the van was successfully neutralized using a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) executed by FHP.
However, the driver and a passenger continued evading on foot, with the passenger being caught quickly.
The driver climbed a fence, swam across a canal, and ran into a business complex before being tracked down with assistance from a Broward County Sheriff’s Office aircrew and K-9 unit.
The subjects were identified as “criminal illegal aliens” from Mexico and Guatemala.
The driver was taken into custody by FHP on multiple state charges and a federal immigration detainer.
“This incident highlights the critical importance of our partnerships with state and local law enforcement,” said Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Dinise.
“Through the seamless coordination between Border Patrol agents, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to safely resolve a dangerous situation and ensure that those who violate our laws are held accountable, keeping our communities and our country safe.”
