Local calls assist BP in arrests

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested 115 people in the Green Valley area during the week May 4-10, according to latest figures.

And 17 of those were in response to 20 calls placed by citizens.

Previous figures weren’t immediately available, but the most recent ones show that there were 14 other apprehensions based on seven calls from other agencies, Border Patrol agents made 38 arrests, and there were 46 apprehensions based on traffic observations.

The Border Patrol and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department promised increased patrols in the area following an April 24 meeting in Green Valley.

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and Border Patrol chief for Arizona Robert Gilbert met in Green Valley with local leaders and residents to talk about the problem.

Giffords earlier announced plans for a citizens’ group to meet regularly with the Border Patrol and Sheriff’s deputies to discuss what can be done to reduce the impact of illegal immigrants on Green Valley residents.

So far, about 10 people have expressed interest in being on the committee, the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council reported. The council is forwarding those names to the Border Patrol.

Earlier, citizens were angered by the truck crash of fleeing illegals that wrecked a house in a quiet neighborhood near Calle Tres.

The runaway vehicle, an SUV, broke gas lines, tore out walls and stopped with its headlight just inches from the head of owner Claire Amato, who was in bed asleep.

Giffords and Gilbert have announced a local committee to work on safety problems. Its first meeting will be March 27.

Central Arizona, along the Santa Cruz River Valley, is the busiest Border Patrol sector in the country for arrests of illegal entrants.

There’s a temporary, or “tactical,” checkpoint on Interstate 19 just south of Arivaca Junction.

On Wednesday, the Border Patrol’s sector also reported:

In Douglas, agents arrested a sexual predator Tuesday night. He was wanted on crimes committed in Wisconsin.

In Casa Grande, agents seized an SUV loaded with marijuana. It has been abandoned on the Tohono O’odham Reservation near San Miguel. The SUV had been stolen in Tempe.

In Arivaca, Border Patrol agents arrested five illegal entrants with six bundles of marijuana Tuesday. In addition to the marijuana, the five men had three automatic weapons and two shotguns.

The agents also seized a large amount of ammunition as well as U.S. and Mexican currency.

Since Oct. 1, Tucson Sector agents have seized 81 weapons and 566,341 pounds of marijuana.

jlamb@gvnews.com| 547-9749