see also: in February 2009:   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Fugitive Wanted on Drug Charges   CBP Discovers Illegal Aliens Hidden in Vehicle's Water Tank, Speaker Box   Border Patrol Nets 68 Pounds of Cocaine in Latest Seizure   CBP Officers Seize More than $665,000 in Cocaine at Brownsville Port of Entry   CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham Retires   El Paso Area CBP Officers Apprehend Louisiana Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder and 39 Other Fugitives   Trusted Traveler Participant in New York Arrested with Child Pornography ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. – Yuma, Ariz. Border Patrol agents arrested a convicted criminal gang member Tuesday night after a short pursuit.

Border Patrol agents from the Yuma station entered a convenience store at County about 7 p.m. Upon entering, the suspicions of the agents were aroused by the nervous mannerisms of an individual in the store. When the agents noted that the individual paid for gas, then immediately drove away without pumping it into his vehicle, they began to follow his vehicle in an attempt to interview the subject.

The Border Patrol agents initiated a vehicle stop on Avenue B. The vehicle initially pulled over to the side of the road, but immediately sped off before agents could approach the vehicle on foot. The agents followed the vehicle approximately three miles until the vehicle stopped near County 17 ½ Street and Avenue A. The subject then got out of his vehicle and fled on foot for a short distance until agents were able to apprehend him.

Upon apprehension the subject disclosed that he was an illegal alien from Mexico and a “Sureno” gang member, who had been living in Salinas, Calif. for several years. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a glass pipe containing methamphetamine residue and approximately one gram of marijuana in the center console.

The subject has a lengthy record of criminal convictions, including hit and run, probation violation, numerous counts of possession of controlled substance, disorderly conduct, presentation of false identification to an officer and false report to law enforcement.

The subject was turned over to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and will be charged with felony flight from law enforcement and possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An immigration hold was also placed on the subject, and he will be presented with a notice to appear for deportation proceedings at the fulfillment of his criminal prosecution.

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.