High-speed Texas chase results in arrest of suspected people smuggler: 'You better stop'

Publish date: 2024-06-04

EAGLE PASS, Texas (TND) — A high-speed chase in Texas led to the arrest of a suspected people smuggler last week, according to video shared by state Department of Public Safety (DPS) spokesperson Chris Olivarez.

Dash camera footage shared via X shows officers chasing down a Mercedes-Benz driven by Roque Flores, who authorities say is from Eagle Pass. Officers barreled after the vehicle down US-277 in Maverick County on May 13, according to Olivarez.

He’s hauling a--,” an officer remarks in the clip.

Officers followed the Mercedes-Benz off the road and eventually continued the pursuit on foot. Body camera footage shows an officer charging after Flores on a dirt road while shouting.

“Come here!” the officer calls. “I’m going to get you. You better stop. You’re not getting away.”

Flores is then seen falling to his stomach with his hands behind his back as the officer catches up to him and places him in handcuffs. Flores was arrested on smuggling of persons and evading arrest charges. Authorities also referred an illegal immigrant from Honduras to U.S. Border Patrol, according to Olivarez.

Texas DPS reposted the clip via X with the hashtag #OperationLoneStar.

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The Lone Star State has faced the brunt of America’s growing border crisis. A poll released earlier this month revealed immigration and border security are among the top concerns of Texans. When asked which method they would support to fix these issues, 19% of respondents chose expanding the border wall.

The state’s border czar, Mike Banks, said in April the problem now requires federal intervention.

“It's far past time for the U.S. government to come up with comprehensive immigration reform,” Banks said. “What we can't do is have open borders in between the ports of entry where anyone can come through ... And the federal government is inviting this to continue happening.”

Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.

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