US Customs Officer severely injured by stolen patrol car crashing
the border into Mexico

U.S. Department of Justice - For Immediate Release 
Found on August 29, 2002

DEL RIO, TEXAS - A Del Rio man faces additional charges in connection 
with injuring a United States Customs officer while attempting
to flee to Mexico.

This afternoon, a Federal grand jury returned a four-count 
indictment against 30-year-old REYMUNDO AVALOS, III, charging him
with one count of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault on 
a federal officer, and one count of exportation of a stolen motor vehicle.

On June 30,2002, after being placed under arrest by Del Rio Police 
officers for violating a protective order, Avalos allegedly managed to 
escape by stealing the officer's patrol car while attempting to enter 
Mexico at the Del Rio International Bridge, Avalos struck a United States
Customs officer with the stolen patrol car. As a result, the officer
suffered serious bodily injury.

Avalos was apprehended by Mexican authorities who subsequently  
turned him and the stolen police vehicle over to U.S. authorities. He 
remains in federal custody. Upon conviction on all counts, Avalos faces 
a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. It is important to note that 
an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as 
evidence of guilt.

This case is being investigated by the United States Customs Service 
and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert
Cadena, Robert Arrambide and Sam Ponder.


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