INDIO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents encountered two United States citizen juveniles Thursday morning in a stolen vehicle. One of the juveniles was reported missing.
At approximately 5 a.m., Indio agents were notified of a 2013 Kia Sportage reported stolen out of Austin, Texas, traveling westbound on Interstate 10 towards Indio. Reports indicated the vehicle was involved in a pursuit after failing to yield to Las Cruces Border Patrol Agents on Wednesday.
At approximately 8 a.m., El Centro Sector Intelligence Unit (SIU) agents observed the vehicle at a gas station located in Chiriaco Summit. When an agent attempted to contact the two individuals, one of the individuals got into the stolen vehicle and fled the scene. The other subject was placed under arrest.
Agents initiated a search for the Kia and later found it abandoned and stuck inside a desert wash. At approximately 10 a.m., the driver was apprehended four miles north of where the vehicle was found. Agents determined both juveniles were in possession of a stolen vehicle and were placed under arrest.
The juveniles and the stolen vehicle were turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
“This is another excellent example of the exceptional work our Border Patrol agents do with our fellow law enforcement partners” said El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino. “Border Patrol agents nationwide strive for excellence in keeping our borders safe along with the citizens of this great country.”
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