Coyote rams truck into Border Patrol agents’ cruiser

SAN MANUEL — A suspected immigrant smuggler rammed a stolen pickup truck into a U.S. Border Patrol vehicle early Monday and then ran away.

Neither of the agents involved in the incident suffered serious injuries.

Agents found six illegal immigrants inside the truck. Four hailed from Honduras; one from El Salvador and the other from Guatemala. Local Border Patrol spokesman Oscar Saldaña said agents arrested them and prepared them for deportation.

The ramming occurred about 4:30 a.m. Monday after the agents spotted a Ford F-350 northbound on U.S. Highway 281, and a registration check revealed it had been reported stolen.

After the agents pulled the vehicle over, the driver backed into their sedan, smashing the front bumper and license plate.

The agents avoided any serious injuries by dodging the truck as it hurtled toward their sedan, Saldaña said.

Agents continued to search for the driver Tuesday, but Saldaña said the Border Patrol has not tapped all its resources.

Local sector Chief Ronald D. Vitiello released a statement warning that violence against agents would bring severe punishments.

“Unscrupulous human smugglers who inflict harm onto our Border Patrol Agents will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Vitiello said.

The owner of the Ford F-350 reported it stolen in the Houston suburb of Richmond. Agents seized the vehicle after the ramming incident.

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Zack Quaintance covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.