Crime log: 39-year-old border crosser dies in desert near Arivaca

An illegal immigrant was found dead Wednesday in the Arivaca desert, Pima County Sheriff’s reports said.

The nephew of the deceased 39-year-old male led authorities to the body, which was located 5 miles northwest of Arivaca Road, Milepost 17.

The nephew told U.S. Border Patrol agents that he and his uncle had been traveling with a group of illegal immigrants when they were left behind Tuesday after his uncle fell ill. He went looking for help the following day and found a group of hunters, who contacted the U.S. Border Patrol, reports said.

Pima County Sheriff’s officers also responded, along with Rural/Metro paramedics, who pronounced the 39-year-old dead at the scene.

The cause of death had not been determined at the time of the report, but no foul play was suspected, reports said.

Sheriff’s officers apprehended seven illegal immigrants in Green Valley on Monday night near the intersection of Camino del Sol and Calle Tres, reports said.

A Honda Passport was traveling northbound on Camino del Sol around 9 p.m. when the driver ran a stop sign. When a Sheriff’s officer approached the vehicle, he noticed several illegal immigrants in the back seat, reports said.

While they were being detained by the U.S. Border Patrol, the “coyote” or driver of the vehicle fled into the desert and was unable to be apprehended, reports said.

In related news, several illegal immigrants were apprehended later that night on the Interstate 19 near Esperanza Boulevard, after Sheriff’s officers stopped their vehicle for a speeding violation, reports said.

As the officer approached the Chevy Trail Blazer, the driver sped northbound on the interstate, pulling off to the shoulder about 50 yards north of the Esperanza onramp. The driver then fled on foot along with his passenger, reports said.

Officers discovered seven illegal immigrants in the back of the SUV, who were turned over to Border Patrol agents.

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