Murder suspect’s truck gets stuck in Rio Grande attempting to enter U.S. illegally

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) — A man wanted for murder in Kansas attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico by driving his pickup over the mostly-dry Rio Grande before becoming stuck.

U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered him walking along the south side of the border barrier in South-Central El Paso, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

The man declared that he was a U.S. citizen before stating that he had attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico by driving his truck across the Rio Grande. A photo provided by CBP shows that the water in the Rio Grande barely covered half of the truck’s tires, but it became stuck.

Agents took the man into custody on suspicion of entering the country illegally. After checking his records, border agents determined that he had an extensive criminal past and had an active warrant for murder out of Wichita, Kansas.

The man was remanded to the custody of the El Paso Country Sheriff’s Office and is now awaiting extradition to Wichita.

CBP said in its news release that since the start of October, El Paso Sector authorities have encountered more than 395 individuals with criminal records and gang affiliations entering the U.S. illegally between international ports of entry.

“El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents are always vigilant, detecting illegal border crossings whether on foot or by vehicle,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “An arrest such as this illustrates the vital role Border Patrol Agents play in the proper detection and identification of persons illegally entering between the ports of entry.”