ALPINE–San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents Thursday arrested two juveniles after they fled from an immigration checkpoint.
One of the juveniles was wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for alleged involvement in an armed robbery.
On Feb. 4 at approximately 3 p.m., a 16-year-old male United States citizen approached the I-8 checkpoint, near Pine Valley, driving a grey Mercedes sedan. The passenger was a female 15-year-old U.S. citizen. After briefly speaking with agents at the checkpoint, the driver sped off at a high rate of speed, driving westbound on I-8.
Agents pursued the vehicle and briefly lost sight of it after it exited the freeway. A short time later, agents discovered the vehicle abandoned in the Viejas Casino parking lot. Working in coordination with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Casino Security Team and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, the two juveniles were found hiding in one of the building’s stairwells.
Agents placed the two under arrest and performed record checks revealing that the 16-year-old driver was wanted in Los Angeles for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery involving a shot-gun. It also revealed that the Mercedes was stolen.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department took custody of the two juveniles pending further investigation.
“I am proud of the diligence displayed by our agents,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “Their hard work helped stop a person wanted for involvement in a violent crime.”
