A Border Patrol chase on Arizona Highway 82 in Nogales that led to a crash at a gas station in Rio Rico Tuesday night resulted in two men being taken into custody, authorities said.
A 22-year-old Nogales resident is in the custody of Santa Cruz County deputies, and the other man was being held by Border Patrol agents, said Sheriff Tony Estrada.
The Oct. 31 incident began shortly after 6 p.m. on Highway 82 in Nogales when Border Patrol agents began pursuing a Chevrolet Tahoe, Estrada said. At some point, the passenger of the SUV bailed out of the vehicle and was captured by the agents, he said.
The driver continued fleeing and crashed into a gas pump at a Pilot Travel Center, 769 E. Frontage Road, in Rio Rico, said Estrada. He said the center, which is heavily used, provides fuel to truckers and other travelers, and has a convenience store and restaurants.
The driver was seen carrying a rifle into the center, and then exiting the center without the weapon. He then went back inside. The center was evacuated and air support was called in to search the area, Estrada said.
A Special Weapons and Tactics team also responded and the team found the suspect inside a walk-in freezer in the center, Estrada said. He said the man was taken into custody and faces multiple charges.
"We are trying to determine why the men fled from Border Patrol agents. No drugs were found in the vehicle," said Estrada.
