New details emerge in Plattsburgh weekend chase

PLATTSBURGH | Police from multiple agencies responded to a vehicle running at a high rate of speed along Route 3, hitting vehicles as it moved through busy Saturday morning traffic. In an Aug. 15 update, U.S. Border Patrol, Swanton Sector said there were seven occupants of the vehicle that fled border agents and began the run south toward Plattsburgh. Six are citizens of Mexico and one is a citizen of Costa Rica. SUNY Plattsburgh sent an alert through its emergency system at 11:34 a.m. on Aug. 12 to warn: "Armed Individual. Area law enforcement are searching for four males who fled westbound from a vehicle on Cornelia Street near Texas Roadhouse. One male appeared to be armed with a handgun. Be cautious and alert." Clinton County Sheriff's Department led the search. Sheriff's Department Maj. Nicholas Leon said the run from law enforcement started when the vehicle did not stop at border agents' request. "United States Border Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle for the purposes of border enforcement. When agents attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle failed to stop. Agents pursued for a short time prior to canceling the attempt. "Shortly thereafter, Sheriff's deputies observed the vehicle driving recklessly through traffic while approaching the Town of Plattsburgh." But the vehicle did not stop at the deputy's request either. "Ultimately, the suspect vehicle struck one uninvolved vehicle on State Route 3 in the Town of Plattsburgh. After the accident occurred, the suspect vehicle continued on to a wooded area north of Route 3 and all occupants fled from the vehicle at that time." This generated a multi-agency response which converged on the area between the Days Inn on Cornelia Street and the wooded area immediately to the east, Maj. Leon said in a news release. Multiple witnesses saw them run, and the dark SUV was left unattended. The fleeing vehicle and subsequent search drew mass concern from area residents. Witnesses in West Chazy saw a black minivan speeding down Route 22. By 10:50 a.m., one witness saw what they described as a dark SUV nearly miss multiple vehicles on Route 3, weaving in traffic and driving in the middle of the busy, multi-lane road. Several witnesses said the vehicle was "smoking" and careened off at least six vehicles on Route 3 between the turn for Price Chopper and Wendy's. Photographs taken at various sites show law enforcement taking suspects into custody. "All persons that fled the vehicle were taken into custody after an extensive search," the major said. U.S. Border Patrol officers said all occupants were processed for administrative removal from the U.S. due to their lack of legal immigration status. The investigation is ongoing. "The United States Border Patrol, United States Customs, United States Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police, New York State Police Air Unit, Plattsburgh City Police, SUNY Plattsburgh Police, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, Clinton County Sheriff's Office and members of the Tri-County Special Response Team responded to the incident," Maj. Leon said. Border Patrol thanked all law enforcement agencies for their assistance and teamwork in apprehending the seven individuals involved. "All members of law enforcement wish to thank the public for their support for us in our mission to protect and enforce our laws," Leon said.

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New details emerge in Plattsburgh weekend chase

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