Local law enforcement agencies team up to track down fleeing UDAs

Contributed Photo/Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM AND GREENLEE COUNTIES — Law enforcement officials from the Graham and Greenlee County Sheriff’s Offices and the Safford and Thatcher Police Department assisted the Border Patrol in apprehending four UDAs late Sunday night into early Monday morning. 

According to Graham County Dispatch, at about 11:15 p.m., the Border Patrol informed us of a white 2012 Chevrolet Equinox that possibly contained UDAs. 

A Graham County Sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle northbound on Highway 191 and followed it as it turned onto Solomon Road, through the Solomon area, and then eastbound onto Highway 70. 

As the Equinox turned northbound onto Highway 191 North, the Border Patrol requested the deputy to stop the vehicle. At about 11:34 p.m., the deputy illuminated his emergency lights to make the stop. However, the suspect vehicle failed to yield and continued northbound. 

The Graham County deputy terminated his pursuit and informed Greenlee County deputies of the incoming vehicle. At about 11:57 p.m., a Greenlee deputy advised that he had located the abandoned Chevy off Highway 191 North at about milepost 148. All the doors and windows were open, but nobody was around.

Safford and Thatcher’s officers arrived to assist, including one equipped with a drone for aerial reconnaissance. The Border Patrol advised law enforcement that they could tow the vehicle if they wanted, and if anyone were found, they would return to extradite. 

Shortly after midnight, the first two subjects were apprehended, including a male complaining of a leg injury and advising he couldn’t walk. 

A total of four UDAs were located and taken into custody to hold for the Border Patrol. Greenlee County emergency services were called to the scene to assist the injured undocumented migrant.