LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - New video released by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) shows a vehicle chase that ended in south Laredo.

On July 16, DPS tried to stop a 2011 Ford pickup suspected of human smuggling near the Rancho Viejo area on Mines Road. According to the agency, undocumented migrants ran out of the truck on Laredo’s west side, but the truck continued, leading DPS on a chase towards the south.

The video shows moments when DPS used a patrol unit to try to stop the truck at the intersection of New York Avenue and Santa Clara Street. Sgt. Erick Estrada with DPS said this technique is not usually used.

“He did put several community members in danger, that’s why we had no choice but to use a PIT maneuver. It ended up being successful, and we were able to terminate the pursuit and prevent the person from injuring other people. During the pursuit, the person rear-ended another vehicle, which is why the PIT maneuver was done on this particular vehicle,” Sgt. Estrada explained.

DPS identified the driver as 17-year-old Christian Gonzalez, who was found to have several drugs inside a bag. He is charged with evading arrest among other charges.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A group of undocumented immigrants were attacked by bees after attempting to run away from a vehicle during a traffic stop.

Border Patrol agents were able to apprehend all of the individuals and rendered aid to those stung by the bees.

All of the individuals were then taken into custody and will be processed accordingly.

DALLAS, Tex. (KGNS) -Dallas Police arrested 1 suspect with methamphetamine, cocaine, weapons and about $3,000 in cash in south Dallas.

The authorities reported that in the operation carried out on July 19, they detected a suspicious attitude on the part of the subject, so they followed him to some apartments, where they seized 4.4 pounds of cocaine, three  9 mm caliber pistols, one .380 caliber pistol, all of the brand glock as well as an R15 assault rifle. At the time of arrest the suspect responded to the name Miguel Mendoza and said he was a resident of Texas. His case was turned over to the district attorney for prosecution.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 race has got many lawmakers and leaders talking including Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino.

In a statement, Mayor Dr. Trevino said, “From my meetings with President Biden, I know that his decision to step down was not an easy one, and only reinforces my belief that his duty to his country and lifelong public service comes first. I know Laredoans appreciate him for his public service and his historic approval of the World Trade Bridge expansion.”

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A correctional officer at Webb County Jail stopped a drug smuggling attempt during the search of a new inmate, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office said.

The incident happened around 8:11 p.m. on July 18 when Roberto Rodriguez, 33, was being processed. During a strip search, officers found a clear plastic bag with a white substance.

According to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office Rodriguez, who faces charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm, tried to bring the drugs into the jail.

Sheriff Martin Cuellar warned that any attempt to smuggle drugs into the jail will lead to more serious charges.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A 16-year-old accused of shooting and killing a 19-year-old in November 2023 will be tried as an adult.

Carlos Albert Fructoso is charged with the murder of Roberto Chavez, following an alleged argument at a gathering on the 500 block of Riverhill Drive. Webb County officials have decided to transfer Fructoso’s case to adult court, where he will face the same sentencing structure as an adult.

Webb County Attorney Marco Montemayor explained the decision: “We have decided to handle that case in the adult criminal justice system and by doing that, we filed a certification case against this individual.”

Montemayor, who frequently handles juvenile cases, noted the severity of this case necessitated its transfer to adult court. “We make a decision on what we feel is best and how to resolve that case whether it’s in the juvenile system or in the adult system. Unfortunately, in this case, we felt that it would be best to handle in the adult system,” he said.

Fructoso was booked at the Webb County Jail on July 15, where he remains in custody with a $200,000 bond. His case is now set to be reviewed by the Webb County District Attorney’s Office.

Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz said the office is awaiting police reports and evidence to proceed with the case. “Many times, of course, you commit an intentional murder in the state of Texas, it’s a felony one. It carries a punishment from five years to 99 years in prison, so the punishments are a lot more severe as an adult. If convicted, Fructoso could face a longer prison sentence,” Alaniz said.

Alaniz also emphasized the importance of understanding the consequences of serious crimes. “I think it’s also important that young adults and teenagers realize the consequences of committing serious felonies. You are not going to be guaranteed to go through the juvenile system. If the offense you commit is serious enough, then you are looking at committing adult crimes, then be ready to serve adult time,” he said.

While Fructoso is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Alaniz noted that he could reach a plea agreement or request a trial by jury.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A car performing donuts in a commercial plaza allegedly caused damage to nearby businesses, leaving several Laredo business owners to pick up the pieces.

Laredo police are investigating an incident that occurred early Tuesday morning in the 9800 block of McPherson. They believe a white Chrysler 300, doing donuts at high speed in the parking lot, kicked up rocks that flew and damaged the windows and doors of several businesses.

On Wednesday, business owners hope this incident sends a stronger message.

“We just need to send a word out to the community that we cannot stand for these kinds of actions by these types of individuals, and we hope that the public and everybody participates to bring these people to justice,” said Commercial Plaza Manager Erick Benavides. “We live in a civilized world and we’re trying to make north side Laredo a better Laredo.”

Laredo Police Department’s Crimes Against Property detectives are handling the investigation.

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - A Border Patrol agent is facing assault and strangulation charges following a Tuesday evening incident in a north Laredo neighborhood.

On Tuesday, July 16, at approximately 6:51 PM, officers responded to an assault call in the 200 block of Sandhill Oak Dr. When officers arrived, they found a female victim who told them she had been assaulted and strangled by 35-year-old Alonzo Gutierrez, reportedly a Border Patrol Agent stationed in Hebbronville, TX. The victim had visible markings and stated that the assault stemmed from an argument over cellphone messages, according to the Laredo Police Department.

Gutierrez had left the residence before the police arrived. However, while officers were still on the scene, the suspect returned to the location, was detained, and subsequently arrested for Assault/Strangulation Family Violence.