Jeep gives chase to law enforcement

A white 4X4 Jeep SUV with an Arizona license plate crashed through a stop sign, a chain link fence and into an apartment on Arizona Avenue Saturday afternoon after a high speed attempt to escape law enforcement. There were no injuries reported.

The vehicle fled from Border Patrol agents when they attempted to pull it over around 6 p.m.

“Border Patrol called us for an assist,” said Yuma Police Department Sgt. Jeff Ruby.

“They had a vehicle that did not stop near the Colorado River. As the vehicle got within the city limits near Avenue C and Avenue B on 16th Street, the vehicle was traveling at a very high rate of speed.”

Pursuing law enforcement vehicles did not provoke the driver of the Jeep by following too closely, Ruby said.

“Border Patrol did not continue to follow at a high rate of speed. Our units and the Border Patrol did try to keep a vigil on it without pursuing it hoping it would slow down, but the vehicle never appeared (to do so). We had reports the vehicle continued to travel east through the city of Yuma at a very high rate of speed. Ultimately the vehicle wrecked right here at an apartment complex at 23rd street and Arizona Avenue where the two occupants in the vehicle fled on foot.”

It is not known if there was anyone home at the corner apartment located at 2302 S. Arizona Ave. when the Jeep smashed into the wall of the building.

There were signs, however, that young children did live at the residence, Ruby said.

“Luckily we didn't have any kids that were playing in that area,” he said.

Border Patrol units, YPD officers and state police surrounded and cordoned off several blocks surrounding the vehicle as a Customs and Border Patrol helicopter circled above in an attempt to catch the two occupants.

By 7 p.m., they had caught one of the passengers. His identity was not released at the scene due to an ongoing investigation. YPD is on the lookout for the second suspect. It was not known if he had been captured as of press time Saturday.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call YPD at 373-4700 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.