Albuquerque, N. M. - A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer apprehended a man who was attempting to steal a pick up truck from the parking lot of an Albuquerque hotel Wednesday morning. The suspect was turned over to Albuquerque police after being detained by the CBP officer.
The incident happened at approximately 7:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Extended Stay America hotel on International Drive. The CBP officer was at the neighboring Residence Inn hotel when he heard somebody yelling for help from the adjacent hotel. The CBP officer and several other individuals ran towards the direction of the plea and noticed they were coming from an older male on the third floor balcony of the Extended Stay America. The man was shouting that his truck was being stolen and directed the CBP officer to a newer model Ford F-150. A man was inside the truck and appeared to be trying to start the vehicle.
The CBP officer approached the vehicle and ordered the subject out of the truck. The subject ignored the CBP officer and continued trying to start the vehicle. The CBP officer spotted what appeared to be a handgun on the subject's right side so he drew his service issued weapon and again ordered the subject out at which point the subject complied. The subject was arrested without further incident by the CBP officer and two FBI agents. Albuquerque Police Department Officers responded and took the subject into custody.
"Our officer acted quickly and decisively in stopping a crime in progress," said Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operation in El Paso. "CBP officers play a significant role in keeping our nation safe by enforcing hundreds of laws at border ports of entry. Our officer's vigilance and professionalism resulted in a thief being apprehended."
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.