Smuggler from Mexico Kicks Texas Trooper in Dramatic Chase
A dramatic chase unfolded in Texas as a suspected human smuggler from Mexico led a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper on a high-speed pursuit, culminating in a foot chase into the Rio Grande River. The incident took place in Sullivan City, within the Rio Grande Valley.
According to a statement by Texas DPS spokesperson Chris Olivarez, the trooper diligently pursued the smuggler, who attempted to escape on foot towards Mexico. The chase eventually led to a confrontation at the edge of the Rio Grande River. Troopers and members of the Texas National Guard were able to apprehend the suspect after a brief struggle, during which the suspect kicked the trooper in the stomach.
The incident was captured on video, showing the trooper trailing a pickup truck through a residential neighborhood before the pursuit transitioned onto a dirt road. At a certain point, the truck veered off the dirt path, prompting the trooper to exit their vehicle and chase down the suspect on foot.
The suspect in question has been identified as Jose Alvarez-Villa, who now faces multiple criminal charges including smuggling, evading arrest, and assaulting a public servant. Alongside this arrest, two illegal immigrants who were also in the truck managed to return to Mexico, while another individual was handed over to the U.S. Border Patrol.
This operation falls under the umbrella of Operation Lone Star, an initiative launched by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The operation aims to enhance law enforcement’s presence along the border, emphasizing the state’s commitment to border security.