SW Arizona News

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at approximately 8:03 AM, Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Deputies were patrolling the area of Avenue 19 E and the International Border when they came across a male subject lost in the desert.

The male subject was in need of water and informed Deputies he had been lost in the desert for approximately 3 days after illegally entering the United States with a group. He also informed the Deputies that there were two other subjects lost but walking a different direction. He was given water and Border Patrol was notified and took custody of him.

Deputies continued to patrol the desert area and came across the two subjects the initial contact had mentioned. The two subjects were observed taking shelter under an ocotillo bush dehydrated and overheated. The male and female subjects confirmed they had also entered the United States illegally and had been walking the desert for approximately 3 days.

Border Patrol BORSTAR Units arrived and rendered medical assistance for heat exhaustion. Subjects were turned over to the custody of Border Patrol.

Unfortunately, our Deputies have been encountering situations like these more frequently due to the current border crisis. The YCSO commends all the Deputies for their continued dedication to public service.

YCSO would like to remind the public to please be aware of your surroundings, even in remote areas of the desert. Do not hesitate to call 911 to report suspicious activity.

This desert patrol is facilitated by grant funds from Operation Stone Garden. Operation Stonegarden is a federal grant program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as part of the State Homeland Security Grant Program. Operation Stonegarden provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to enhance their capabilities to “support joint efforts to secure the United States’ borders.”

_{Source: https://www.facebook.com/yumacountysheriff.az/posts/pfbid02MLsh96iYC7PmVjvekwhKRtJWmvKGg88GgcQG4d3CRKzDwVQvcWvtXwFwTxnQboXWl}