From 100 mph to handcuffs: Uzbek speedsters caught in daring Texas chase
Two men from Uzbekistan were arrested in Brooks County after fleeing a US Border Patrol checkpoint and leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit exceeding 100 mph, local outlet myRGV reports.
Erkin Khudoyberdiev faces federal charges for transporting a person illegally present in the United States. His passenger, Ikhtivor Rakhimov, unlawfully crossed the Rio Grande before being picked up in McAllen.
The incident occurred on Saturday, when the men drove their Chevrolet Malibu into the primary lane of the Falfurrias border checkpoint. A CBP agent reportedly verified Khudoyberdiev’s status as a legal permanent resident but became suspicious when Rakhimov claimed to have his green card at home.
Following this exchange, agents directed Rakhimov’s vehicle to a secondary inspection area to confirm his immigration status.
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The men disregarded the directive, drove past the agents who tried to block them and exited the facility. Later, authorities located the Malibu north of the Brooks County rest area and a pursuit began with lights and sirens. The car raced north, hitting more than 100 mph, and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers joined the chase.
An international smuggling operation
Troopers deployed a vehicle immobilisation device in an unsuccessful effort to stop the fleeing vehicle. Police finally stopped the Malibu at the intersection of Highway 281 and Highway 285. Following the stop, Rakhimov tried to flee on foot but was quickly detained by agents.
Later, during questioning, Rakhimov admitted that he had left Uzbekistan on 7 August and crossed the Texas border on 2 September. He told investigators that a friend from his homeland had set up a smuggling operation to bring him to Philadelphia. A Hispanic man drove him across the river to a nearby hotel.
Khudoyberdiev, who already lived in Philadelphia, agreed to collect Rakhimov from the hotel after receiving $350 for fuel from their mutual friend. Rakhimov admitted to instructing Khudoyberdiev to drive through the Falfurrias checkpoint and stated he fled on foot out of panic.
Kursiv Uzbekistan could not independently verify the report.
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