Suspected illegal immigrants detained in Lavaca County (Victoria Advocate)

Suspected illegal immigrants detained in Lavaca County

June 13, 2008 - 10:00 p.m.

HALLETTSVILLE – On Friday, for the second time in a week, Lavaca County law enforcement officials pursued and detained suspected illegal immigrants.

About 8:40 a.m., Lavaca County Sheriff’s Deputy J.R. Peters attempted to stop a Dodge pickup on alternate U.S. Highway 77 at alternate U.S. Highway 90. The driver did not stop and continued onto Farm-to-Market Road 340. The truck left the road and went through a fence, said Lavaca County Sheriff Micah Harmon.

“About 10 people bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot,” the sheriff said. “An extensive search on foot and with all-terrain vehicles did not turn up the other subjects.”

Two men and two women were detained and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Hallettsville Police Department, Shiner Police Department, and three Lavaca County constables assisted the sheriff’s office. Area residents also assisted in the search.

In a separate incident Monday afternoon, Yoakum Police received a report of possible illegal immigrants at a local business in the bed of a pickup covered with a blanket. As an officer arrived, the truck was leaving and the driver ignored attempts to stop the truck, according to a news release from the Yoakum Police Department.

The pickup traveled north on alternate U.S. Highway 77, then ran through a gate and crossed a pasture to Lavaca County Road 315. At some point, the occupants of the truck fled on foot. Area residents reported sightings to law enforcement as Yoakum Police were assisted by the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office and Shiner Police Department. Fourteen people were detained and turned over to federal immigration officers.