Man driving stolen vehicle apprehended at the Peace Bridge

Brent Jones
November 27, 2024 at 2:18 PM

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested a man driving a stolen vehicle at the Peace Bridge border crossing between Fort Erie and Buffalo, N.Y.

Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The incident occurred on Tuesday when the driver of a 2016 Nissan Altima accidentally entered the Peace Bridge crossing into the United States.

At the primary inspection area, a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department. The driver and passengers were then directed to a secondary inspection area for further investigation.

During the examination, officers identified the driver as a 32-year-old Venezuelan national and discovered he had active felony warrants in Colorado.

These warrants were issued in connection with charges of armed robbery and vehicle theft. CBP officers confirmed with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office that the man was wanted, and that the vehicle matched the description of one stolen in Chicago.

The individual was taken into custody and processed by CBP. He was later handed over to the Buffalo Police Department and is being held as a fugitive from justice, awaiting extradition to Colorado.

“This arrest highlights the diligent work of CBP officers and our coordination with local and state law enforcement agencies,” said Area Port Director Gaetano Cordone in a news release.