SPLENDA, Texas

Police in East Texas have taken three deported gang members into custody following a high-speed chase that spanned two counties. The pursuit concluded when a driver, a Mexican national illegally in the U.S., lost control of the vehicle and crashed.

According to a Facebook post from the Splendora Police Department, officers had initiated traffic stops due to violations. As an officer approached their vehicle, the driver initially stopped but then suddenly accelerated to flee.

The chase began in Montgomery County and ended in San Jacinto County when the driver lost control. After crashing, he attempted to escape on foot but was apprehended by officers, who subsequently identified him as a Mexican citizen.

During the identification process, it was revealed that the individual was a documented gang member. Officials from the Houston Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that he had been deported three times.

A criminal background check uncovered multiple felony convictions. Currently, the individual faces several charges, including felony possession of methamphetamine and evading law enforcement in a vehicle.

Additionally, he may face federal charges for illegal re-entry after being removed, which could result in a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years. Following the legal proceedings in Montgomery County, deportation processes will likely be initiated.

Reports indicate that in the first half of the Trump administration, ICE officials in Houston arrested around 350 illegal alien gang members, who were linked to nearly 1,700 crimes and had been deported over 1,430 times.