Graham County Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement officials apprehended two separate groups of Undocumented Aliens (UDA) on Thursday, April 6, 2023.
The first incident was reported at approximately 10:30 PM, involving a silver Nissan Sentra. A DPS Trooper was following the vehicle northbound on Highway 191 and advised that the vehicle had been involved in a pursuit with Cochise County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was believed to be involved in human trafficking. When the vehicle reached Roper Lake Road, a Graham County deputy got behind the vehicle and took over pursuit. He was soon joined by another deputy.
The deputy immediately behind the vehicle activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, but the Nissan accelerated to speeds of approximately 80 to 100 MPH. The vehicle nearly hit a yellow Corvette in front of the fairgrounds and continued driving at high speeds, passing in no passing zones and weaving in and out of traffic.
Officials called off the pursuit in the area of Highway 191 and Main Street in Safford. The Nissan turned east onto Main Street. Officials received reports of the vehicle in the area of 7th Street where the occupants had bailed out and were running. Safford Police and Sheriff’s deputies rounded up a total of 8 suspects who were transported to the Graham County Jail where they were held until Border Patrol picked them up.
The vehicle was registered to an individual in Willcox. It’s not clear if the vehicle was stolen.
The second incident occurred at approximately 11:30 PM the same night. A deputy was parked at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Highway 70 when he observed a Blue Ford Escape turn left onto Highway 70 from 1st Avenue. The driver of the vehicle leaned back as he went through the intersection as though he didn’t want the deputy to see him. The vehicle had a temporary permit.
The deputy pulled behind the vehicle and clocked it going 43 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. A records check indicated that the 3 day vehicle permit had expired. The deputy activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop but the Ford Escape didn’t pull over. Instead the vehicle turned into the Mount Graham Plaza and drove north behind the center toward the rear of the complex.
The vehicle accelerated and drove over a ditch into the farm field behind the shopping center. Six occupants reportedly fled on foot but were apprehended by police officers and deputies. Two of the vehicle’s occupants remained in the vehicle. A total of 8 adult UDAs were apprehended (7 males and 1 female).
The vehicle was towed from the scene and the UDAs were released to Border Patrol agents at approximately 1:30 AM.
