GRAHAM COUNTY — At about 5:15 a.m. Monday, a Graham County Sheriff’s deputy, working Operation Stonegarden, took into custody three people suspected of being undocumented immigrants, following a short pursuit.
The suspect vehicle reached speeds in excess of 70 mph in a 55 mph zone, but finally came to a stop west of the San Simon Wash Bridge. After stopping, four people jumped out and ran off through a pecan grove.
However, three other people, two men and one woman, were stopped by the deputy before they could make their escape.
Through a translator, the people in custody said they had been picked up by the driver — identified only as “Wedo” — and were making their way to Stockton, Calif., where were jobs waiting for them. They had been doing day work during their travel, sharing money with the driver.
The four who escaped, which included the driver, were not located. However a wallet was found in the vehicle with two Mexican identification cards that did not match any of those in custody. There was also $210 and 100 Mexican Pesos.
The vehicle, a 2013 Ford Explorer, was taken into custody and parked in the Graham County evidence yard, and the three suspects were remanded to the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Operation Stonegarden is a joint task force between local law enforcement and Border Patrol to secure the nation’s borders. It is funded through grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
