Border agent injured arresting illegal alien

A Yuma sector Border Patrol agent is recovering from injuries suffered Sunday morning while struggling with an admitted gang member he was trying to arrest, the patrol said.

According to Agent Michael Bernacke, a spokesman for the Yuma sector, two agents encountered three illegal aliens at about 2 a.m. on the corner of 16th Street and Redondo Drive.

"They had entered the country illegally earlier along the northern Colorado River and were able to make it into town," Bernacke said.

Bernacke said one of the agents was able to apprehend two of the illegal aliens, but the third one tried running away.

"The first two complied with all of the agent's commands," Bernacke said.

The second Border Patrol agent pursued the illegal alien on foot for about 60 yards before catching up to him.

The alien became combative with the agent, causing both to fall to the ground, the patrol said.

The agent dislocated his shoulder in the fall but was still able to gain control of the illegal alien until another agent arrived on scene to handcuff the individual.

"The agent was able to get control of the alien until another agent arrived, but was unable to put handcuffs on him because of his injured arm," Bernacke said.

Bernacke said the injured agent was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for his injury and later released.

"He is currently recuperating from his injuries," Bernacke said.

In subsequent interviews, the illegal alien claimed to be affiliated with the Sureno 13 gang.

"It is a gang from Mexico that we encounter a lot along the border," Bernacke said. "They are another gang that is particularly vicious and has no regard for human life."

The FBI was contacted in relation to the assault and responded for possible prosecution of assault on a federal agent.

In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, there were 73 assaults on Border Patrol agents in the Yuma sector, a 62 percent decrease from the prior year, the patrol said.


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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.