Mexican National Held Over Chase, Smuggling

A Mexican national accused of leading authorities on a 100-mile chase into the San Fernando Valley after speeding through a border checkpoint was charged Monday with alien smuggling, authorities said.

Jose Torres Leon, 24, was allegedly at the wheel of a 1973 Chevy Blazer that failed to stop at a checkpoint in San Clemente just after 1 a.m. Sunday, U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Ted Swofford said.

The truck was packed with a dozen illegal aliens. Leon led Border Patrol officers on a 100-mile odyssey up the Golden State and Foothill freeways, hitting speeds of up to 90 m.p.h. during the pursuit, Swofford said. He was finally cornered at the Osborne Street exit of the Foothill Freeway.

Leon and three others allegedly tried to flee on foot. One man eluded capture, but Leon and his two companions were arrested, Swofford said.

Leon was booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego on suspicion of alien smuggling, while the others were detained as possible witnesses against him. The eight people inside the truck were transported back to Mexico, Swofford said.

Leon was arraigned Monday. If found guilty, he could spend as much as five years in prison for alien smuggling--a felony under federal law, Swofford said. He would be sent back to Mexico thereafter.