Customs Agents Apprehend 2 Rape Suspects at San Diego Border Crossings

SAN YSIDRO, CA — A man wanted on suspicion of rape and a second named in a warrant accusing him of kidnapping to commit robbery or rape were arrested at San Diego-area border crossings over the weekend, federal officials announced Tuesday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro border crossing stopped a car in which one suspect, a 19-year-old man, was a passenger around 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers learned he was suspected of rape in Santa Barbara County when they checked his passport, then took him into custody, according to the federal agency's public affairs office.

About three hours later, officers arrested a second vehicle passenger at the Otay Mesa port of entry. A check of the 28-year-old man's identification and fingerprints alerted officers that he was wanted for kidnapping to commit robbery or rape in Riverside County, with bail set at $2 million, authorities said.

Neither suspect's name was made public.

"My officers remain ever vigilant as demonstrated by theses significant interceptions," Port Director Sidney Aki said. "CBP officers continue to produce results and these are only two of the many violations they stopped over the weekend."

— City News Service

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