TWO ASSAULTS ON BORDER PATROL AGENTS LOCALLY

March 13, 2013 (San Diego)-- In separate incidents this week, two U.S. Border Patrol agents were assaulted while performing patrol duties in San Diego County, the Border Patrol reports.

The first assault occurred Monday at approximately 8 p.m. in the Otay Mountain area, when a Border Patrol agent attempted to arrest a male undocumented Mexican national who had entered the U.S. illegally.  During the arrest, the suspect became assaultive and struck the agent in the face and head, according to a release issued by the U.S. Border Patrol today.  After a brief struggle, the agent was able to  detain the man.  The suspect is being held by the Department of Homeland Security pending charges for assault on a federal agent.

The second incident occurred yesterday at approximately 8:30 p.m., near San Ysidro.  A U.S. Border Patrol agent responded to four men who had jumped over the primary fence and continued to run north to the secondary fence with a ladder.  The agent was able to apprehend one Mexican national as the other three men returned to Mexico.  During the arrest, the three men in Mexico reportedly began throwing rocks over the primary fence at the agent.  The agent did not sustain any injuries. 

“These assaults are examples of the unpredictability and inherent dangers that Border Patrol agents face every day while securing our nation’s borders,” stated Special Operations Supervisor Michele Morales.

In San Diego sector, assaults against agents have increased more than 70% from 77 in fiscal year 2011 to 133 in Fiscal year 2012.