Suspected Illegal Immigrants Flee SUV After Pursuit

Border Patrol Agents Pursued SUV From Otay Mesa To Spring Valley

Posted: 04/22/2012
Last Updated: 392 days ago

A child's birthday party at a Spring Valley park on Saturday was interrupted by U.S. Border Patrol agents chasing four men suspected of being in the United States illegally.

» Sign Up For Breaking News Alerts» Like Us On Facebook» Follow Us On Twitter

The incident began at about 1:30 p.m. when a Border Patrol agent tried to pull over a black SUV in Otay Mesa with four suspected illegal immigrants due to "suspicious activity," a Border Patrol public information officer said Sunday.

The driver failed to yield to agents and a pursuit ensued.

Agents pursued the SUV to the 8700 block of Jamacha Boulevard, near the Spring Valley County Park, which was filled with children and adults attending several events, including a child's birthday party.

Mona Whittle was at the park attending a health fair with her 5-year-old niece.

"All of a sudden, there was lots of Border Patrol, police cars and helicopters and there was a family event going on here," she said.

Whittle said a black SUV drove into the parking lot with Border Patrol vehicles behind it. The SUV also crashed into a few cars on its way into the parking lot. However, no injuries were reported.

Kiearia Hayes said it was a scary sight.

"The black truck came speeding through, threw on their emergency brake and like four guys, four or five guys hopped out," said Hayes.

Hayes said one of the men ran back toward the park while the others ran toward a nearby swap meet, causing officials to shut the event down for a time. Agents later caught the man that ran toward the park and took him into custody.

Witnesses said the situation could have turned out much worse.

"They almost hit a little 4-year-old girl... I think it was her birthday.... and her mom was really mad and then they hit the car," said witness Breonna Teartt.

San Diego County sheriff's deputies took another man into custody Saturday evening and turned him over to agents, according to the Border Patrol. Two men are still at large.

The two men in custody are being questioned and the investigation is ongoing.

Copyright Do you have more information about this story? Click here to contact usCopyright 2012 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


San Diego , CA  
68° Mostly clear

Stay Connected

Send us a News Tip Send us a News Tip
Tablet & iPhone/Android Apps Mobile/Tablet Apps
Twitter Twitter
Facebook Facebook
YouTube YouTube
SanDiegoLaw.tv SanDiegoLaw.tv