U.S. Border Patrol Agents Arrest Suspected Carjacker at Interstate 15 Checkpoint

Temecula, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 15 checkpoint near Temecula arrested a 36-year-old male U.S. citizen hours after he allegedly stole a vehicle from its owner at knifepoint in San Diego County.

Sunday night at approximately 9:40 p.m., agents encountered the suspect driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla as he arrived at the checkpoint. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection.

While agents questioned the man, they noticed the handle of a knife protruding from between the driver’s seat and the center console. Agents asked the man to step out of the car while they conducted records checks on the vehicle. The records checks revealed that the Corolla had been reported stolen earlier that evening in Chula Vista. 

The suspect, vehicle, and all of its contents were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to the ChulaVista Police Department.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders. The U.S. Border Patrol also maintains strong collaborative partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in border communities.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.