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U.S. Border Patrol logo.

A Border Patrol agent struggled with an undocumented immigrant who attempted to stab the agent, but instead struck a handheld radio, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday near Three Points, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.

The struggling agent received help from another agent who was in an Air and Marine Operations helicopter that landed in a clearing.

The suspect was arrested.

The incident began after the helicopter crew responded to a report of about 10 migrants walking in the desert near Three Points. The air crew spotted the group and was guiding Border Patrol agents on the ground toward the group's location, authorities said.

The air crew reported seeing one man fleeing from the group. A Border Patrol agent made contact with the man and both began to struggle.

During the struggle, the man pulled out a knife and tried to stab the agent, but struck the agent's handheld radio. The radio was attached to the agent's body armor, authorities said.

The agent called for help while struggling with the man. Once the helicopter landed, another agent went to his aid and both restrained and arrested the man, said authorities.


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Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@tucson.com or 573-4104. On Twitter: @cduartestar