On Tuesday, April 28th, 2015 the Pinal County Sheriff’s Anti-Smuggling Enforcement Unit was working an operation in Hidden Valley.
At 5:55 a.m. a detective attempted to stop a 2001 Ford Expedition which was traveling northbound on Highway 347 after he observed the driver of the vehicle commit several traffic violations. After the detective activated his emergency red and blue lights, the vehicle failed to yield and continued to travel at 60 mph. The vehicle then merged onto the shoulder on the right side of the roadway and continued to travel at 60 mph. The vehicle suddenly drove through the fence on the east side of the roadway and into the desert. The vehicle traveled a short distance and then stopped by a large group of bushes and trees.
The driver and seven passengers ran from the vehicle. The detective was able to apprehend the driver as he attempted to hide in some bushes. The driver was later identified as Sergio Salas-Orozco, age 27 of Casa Grande. With the assistance of other deputies and members of the U.S. Border Patrol, four of the passengers were taken into custody and three additional passengers were not located.
Sergio and the four passengers were taken to the U.S. Border Patrol Office for processing. The four passengers all admitted to being in the United States illegally. The driver of the vehicle stated that he was flagged down by the subjects who he knew were illegals and asked for a ride. He said that he fled because he knew he would get in trouble for transporting illegals.
The. U.S. Border Patrol informed detectives they will be booking Sergio Salas-Orozco for Federal charges of Smuggling and Transporting of Illegals Aliens. PCSO Detectives will be requesting through the Pinal County Attorney’s Office that he also be charged with Felony Flight and Driving on a Revoked Arizona Driver’s License.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “Sergio Salas-Orozco is no stranger to our office. On July 23rd, 2012 he fled from deputies and was involved in a high-speed vehicle pursuit. He stopped his vehicle and once again fled on foot along with his four passenger who were all illegals. All five suspects were caught and arrested. Inside of the vehicle deputies discovered he has 22 bundles of marijuana which weighed a total of 518 pounds. Sergio pled guilty to this past crime and served one year in the Arizona Department of Corrections.”