CBP U.S. Border Patrol Agents Make Multiple Criminal Arrests in El Centro Sector

Imperial, Calif. – During recent events, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three men with criminal warrants and three teenage women suspected of armed robbery.

The first arrest took place on January 7 around 1:30 p.m., when Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate Route 2 Border Patrol Checkpoint near Ocotillo encountered a 40-year-old Mexican male with revoked immigration documents. Record checks on the suspect revealed that the man was wanted by Mexican authorities and the International Police (INTERPOL) for banking and financial fraud. He was placed under arrest and is currently awaiting court proceedings at the El Centro Service Processing Center.

On January 13, Border Patrol agents from the El Centro station arrested a 26-year-old Mexican man illegally present in the U.S. During processing, criminal record checks revealed that the man was wanted by the El Centro Police Department for his involvement in an ongoing rape investigation. The man was subsequently turned over to the El Centro Police Department and booked at the Imperial County jail for charges of Lewd Acts with a Minor under the age of 14.

The following day at approximately 8 p.m., agents from the Calexico Border Patrol Station arrested a 28-year-old Mexican national attempting to enter the U.S. illegally near the Calexico East Port of Entry. The man was transported to the Calexico station where he was determined to be a gang member who had previously been removed from the United States. In addition, criminal record checks revealed that the suspect was wanted by the Monterrey County Sherriff’s Office for failure to appear. He was turned over to the Imperial County Sherriff’s Office where he awaits extradition.

Then on Sunday around 5 p.m., Border Patrol agents working in Downtown Calexico were waved down by a distressed business owner who clamed that two females with knives had attempted to rob her store. The woman also stated that one of the females was carrying a handgun. Agents began searching the area for the suspects and encountered three young females that matched the description given by the store owner. The three females, ages 15, 17 and 19, were interviewed and found to be carrying a knife but no other weapons. They were released to the custody of the Calexico Police Department for further investigation.

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.