DPS apprehends 8 illegal immigrants (Victoria Advocate)

DPS apprehends 8 illegal immigrants
Kayla Bell • Originally published October 7, 2010 at 6:51 p.m., updated October 7, 2010 at 6:51 p.m.

GONZALES - The Texas Department of Public Safety apprehended eight illegal immigrants in related incidents on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

Around 1 p.m. Wednesday, troopers attempted to stop a pick-up on Interstate 10, when the driver left the highway and a short pursuit ensued, said Trooper Pat Davis. The driver and passengers bailed from the truck and ran into nearby brush.

Troopers were able to apprehend seven of them, six were from Honduras and one was of Middle Eastern decent, Davis said.

The truck had been reported to be stolen, and the suspects were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol in San Antonio.

The next morning, a rancher reported seeing six men dressed in black leave his pasture and load into a white mini van.

"These other six were waiting for a ride to come this morning at 9 o'clock in the exact same area," Davis said.

Davis located the van and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but it left the interstate and its occupants fled, but Davis was able to apprehend one, who was of Middle Eastern decent.

The suspect was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Houston.

The van was registered to a man from Houston, but Davis said it's unclear if he's the van's owner.

A DPS helicopter, the Gonzales and Fayette county sheriff's offices and the Flatonia Police Department assisted in the search.