Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint, arrested two wanted men Monday.
The first incident occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. when an agent referred a man in a white pick-up truck to secondary inspection after the subject handed the agent a suspicious looking identification card during an immigration inspection.
During further inspection, the agent discovered the 37-year-old man was a United States Citizen with an active warrant out of Napa County, California for driving a stolen vehicle. The man was transferred to the custody of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office for extradition to Napa County.
The second incident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m., when a man and woman approached the Highway 86 checkpoint in a gray Ford.
At primary, during an immigration inspection, a Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle. Agents referred the vehicle to secondary for further inspection. During the inspection, both the man and woman were identified as United States Citizens and drug paraphernalia with illicit substance residue was found in the glove compartment.
Agents also discovered the 32-year-old man had an active warrant for larceny out of Liberty, Texas during records checks. The man was turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office for extradition to Liberty.
“Our agents frequently encountered fugitives from justice and encounter people engaged in other crimes during immigration inspections,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. “Whenever we discover fugitives or other crimes, we coordinate with various agencies to ensure that there is an appropriate law enforcement resolution.”