Border Patrol Assists Calexico Police Department with Locating Armed Robbery Suspect

CALEXICO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to El Centro Sector detained a man suspected of armed robbery Tuesday evening.

On April 28, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Calexico Border Patrol Station received a request for assistance from the Calexico Police Department (CPD) to help search for a suspect that had just robbed the AM/PM convenience store on Kloke Avenue and Highway 98.  CPD believed the subject was armed with a knife. Agents responded to the area to help search for the man.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., CPD notified the Calexico Border Patrol Station that they had identified the robbery suspect via the store’s surveillance footage.  CPD attempted to make contact with the suspect at his residence and requested assistance from Border Patrol agents to secure the perimeter.  At the house, CPD made contact with the suspect’s parents who informed them that the suspect had recently left.  CPD officers were given consent to search the residence and discovered the clothes and knife that matched the suspect’s description and weapon from the convenience store security video.  Border Patrol agents searched the immediate area and located the man walking in the street near the residence.  Agents were able to detain the suspect and turn him over to CPD officers.

The arrested suspect has an extensive violent criminal record and is being held in CPD custody pending criminal charges.

“On behalf of the women and men of the Calexico Police Department, I appreciate the members of the United States Border Patrol for all the help that you provide my agency and the citizens of Calexico,” said Calexico Police Chief Gonzalo Gerardo. “Your agency’s continued support reflects the excellent work ethic that all Border Patrol agents and staff have. I know that the relationships that we have with our federal partners, especially with Border Patrol, is like no other in the country.”