Shots fired at Andrade port of entry

BY SARAH REYNOLDS, SUN STAFF WRITER
Jan 27, 2007

A suspected smuggler smashed his vehicle through the barricade at the U.S. Port of Entry at Andrade, Calif., Friday night and exchanged gunfire with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.

"The incident began last night when Border Patrol agents observed a group of suspected undocumented aliens load into a white minivan near the Andrade port of entry," said Vincent Bond, CBP spokesman in California.

According to Bond, the suspect fled and led agents on a short pursuit along Interstate 8 before returning to the port of entry.

The suspect then smashed his vehicle into the barrier and attempted to drive over CBP officers, Bond said.

A CBP officer fired his weapon and hit the van when the suspect drove it at the officers.

Bond said no Border Patrol agents or bystanders at the port of entry at the time were hurt.

The driver of the van fled into Mexico, where Bond said the suspect was apprehended by Mexican authorities.