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Two Arrested, Five Migrants Detained After High-Speed Pursuit in Webb County
Texas DPS troopers used a PIT maneuver to end the chase involving a 16-year-old driver and an adult passenger.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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A high-speed pursuit in Webb County, Texas ended with a PIT maneuver by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old driver and an adult passenger. Five migrants who were in the country illegally were also detained and turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with human smuggling operations along the Texas-Mexico border. The use of a PIT maneuver to stop the fleeing vehicle also raises questions about the tactics employed by DPS troopers in such high-risk situations.
The details
According to DPS, a trooper attempted to stop a white Mazda 3 on FM 1472, but the driver fled, leading to a pursuit. Troopers later executed a PIT maneuver, which forced the vehicle to spin and stop. The 16-year-old driver and the passenger, Juan Francisco Torres Jr. of Laredo, were arrested and charged with five counts of smuggling of persons and evading arrest. The five migrants found in the vehicle were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.
- The incident occurred on February 19, 2026.
- Torres was booked into Webb County Jail on February 20, 2026 and released the following day on a $50,000 bond.
The players
Texas Department of Public Safety
The state law enforcement agency responsible for the pursuit and apprehension of the suspects.
Juan Francisco Torres Jr.
The adult passenger arrested and charged with smuggling of persons and evading arrest.
16-year-old driver
The teenage driver arrested and charged with smuggling of persons and evading arrest.
U.S. Border Patrol
The federal agency that took custody of the five migrants found in the vehicle.
What’s next
The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the 16-year-old driver and Torres at a hearing next week.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human smuggling operations along the Texas-Mexico border, and the risks involved in high-speed pursuits that can endanger both officers and the public.
