SR347 pursuit leads to human-smuggling charges

A traffic stop on State Route 347 early Tuesday morning led to the arrest of five people. Chief among them was the driver, who faces charges of transporting illegal aliens – for which he was also arrested by PCSO in 2012.

Sergio Salas-Orozco, 27, of Casa Grande, was driving a 2001 Ford Expedition northbound on SR 347 just before 6 a.m. when he was observed by a PCSO Anti-Smuggling Enforcement Unit working an operation in Hidden Valley. According to the report, the detective saw him commit several traffic violations and attempted to stop him.

When the detective turned on his emergency lights, the Ford did not stop and continued on 347 at 60 mph. The vehicle then moved onto the shoulder, still traveling at 60 mph before driving through a fence into the desert. It was stopped by a group of bushes and trees.

Salas-Orozco and seven passengers ran from the vehicle. The detective apprehended Salas-Orozco. Other deputies and members of the U.S. Border patrol arrived and took four more people into custody. The other three passengers were not found.

According to the report, the four passengers admitted to being in the United States illegally.

Salas-Orozco claimed he had picked up the passengers on the side of the road when they asked for a ride.