El Paso Triple Homicide Suspect Surrenders to CBP Officers

El Paso, Texas – A man being sought in connection with a triple homicide in El Paso has surrendered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. The suspect, 35-year-old Luis Javier Solis Gonzalez approached CBP officers who were performing southbound inspections at the Paso Del Norte port of entry just before noon today and announced that he was turning himself in for homicide.

CBP officers took custody of the suspect and performed queries to confirm his identity. CBP officers also confirmed the outstanding homicide warrant. CBP contacted the El Paso Police Department and detectives arrived and took custody of the suspect.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

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.

Robbery of Chase Bank Branch in El Paso

At approximately 12:36 p.m., a man walked into the Chase Bank branch located at 5209 Wren in El Paso, Texas, approached a teller while pointing a black semi-automatic handgun, and demanded money. The teller complied and handed the man an undisclosed amount of money. The man exited the bank shortly after and fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as a possible black male, approximately 5’10”-6’ tall with a medium build, and was wearing a light-colored mask, dark-colored hooded jacket, dark pants, dark shoes, gloves and carrying a backpack.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Office. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please contact the FBI at (915) 832-5000.

Chase Bank Branch in El Paso Robbed

At approximately 1:58 p.m., a man walked into the Chase Bank located at 2829 Montana in El Paso, Texas, approached a teller with a note, and demanded money. The teller complied and handed the man an undisclosed amount of money. The man exited the bank shortly after and fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as a white male, 35-40 years of age, 5’6”-5’7” tall, 150-160 pounds, with a slender build, light brown hair, and wearing sunglasses and a tan, short-sleeved collared shirt with an unknown insignia on the left-front shirt pocket.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please contact the FBI at (915) 832-5000.

Robbery of Compass Bank Branch in El Paso

At approximately 4:48 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, a man walked into the Compass Bank located at 6044 Gateway East, El Paso, Texas and approached a teller with a note, stated he had a weapon (however, he did not display a weapon), and demanded money. The teller complied and handed the man an undisclosed amount of money. The man exited the bank shortly thereafter and fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late 30s, 5’8”-5’9” tall, with a medium build and dark complexion. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt, long shorts, a green cap, and white tennis shoes.

This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was in the vicinity of this bank and/or has information about the robbery, please contact the FBI at (915) 832-5000.

Undocumented Immigrants Rescued From Mud, Resident Pulled Out of Burning Car in Separate Incidents

El Paso, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents were busy the past 24 hours with two separate incidents involving rescues in the El Paso area.

At approximately 5:30 a.m. today, U.S. Border Patrol agents received a call from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance on Socorro Road regarding a group of undocumented immigrants who were literally stuck in mud in a farm field in San Elizario.

Agents responded and discovered some subjects stuck in a heavily irrigated field and unable to extract themselves. Because of the extremely dense irrigated soil, agents were unable to reach them. A Fabens Border Patrol ATV unit was able to reach two of the subjects and rescue them from the mud. During this time, Fabens, Clint and San Elizario Fire Departments responded to the scene, along with the El Paso County Emergency District and extracted another female subject from the mud. She was later transported to Del Sol Medical Center for possible hypothermia.

The rescue of those immigrants who could not extract themselves from mud was extremely slow and difficult due to the challenging conditions of the field. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Fabens Station were able to track and apprehend four other subjects who are believed to also be part of this same group that entered the U.S. illegally in the San Elizario area. In total, five males and three females were apprehended. All of the immigrants were treated at the scene and two were taken to area hospitals for further medical evaluation.

Before this incident unfolded, a resident was pulled from a burning car on Mesa and 6th street on the city’s Westside at approximately 2 a.m. after a Border Patrol agent noticed the car on fire and found an unresponsive motorist. The agent had been traveling southbound on Mesa when he came upon the burning vehicle with the engine on and a man inside. He immediately tried to get the attention of the driver, who appeared to be unconscious. The agent opened the driver’s side door and pulled the man to safety before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. The El Paso Fire department arrived on the scene shortly after his rescue to extinguish the fire, followed by officers from the El Paso Police Department who took custody of the subject. The subject suffered no injuries in the incident.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.