Local
Austin crews search water after two men flee vehicle during ICE stop near SH 71
A vehicle stop involving ICE near South 973 and State Highway 71 led to a search of nearby water Thursday after two men reportedly ran from the vehicle. Austin firefighters found no one, and no arrests were reported.
Austin firefighters searched a body of water near South 973 and State Highway 71 on Thursday after two men reportedly fled a vehicle during a stop involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, city officials said. Responders found no one in the water, and no one was taken into custody.
ICE stopped the vehicle, after which the driver and passenger ran into the nearby water, according to the city. ICE left after notifying first responders that the two men were standing in water up to their waists.
A bystander told Austin Fire the men had made it out safely, but declined to provide more information, the city said. Fire crews deployed a boat and drone to search the area and found no evidence that anyone remained in the water.
ICE confirmed to city officials that no one was taken into custody. The circumstances of the chase and the identities of the people involved were not provided.