Troy A. Miller Commissioner at U.S Customs and Border Protection | Official website
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, New York, have apprehended a man driving a stolen vehicle. The incident occurred when the driver, Naxer Acevedo Escalona, mistakenly drove a 2016 Nissan Altima onto the bridge.
During an initial inspection, officers discovered through the National Crime Information Center that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department. Consequently, Escalona and his passengers were escorted to a secondary inspection area for further checks.
Further investigation revealed that Escalona, a 32-year-old Venezuelan national, had active felony warrants in Colorado. CBP officers confirmed with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office that he was wanted for armed robbery and vehicle theft. Additionally, they verified that the car matched the description of one reported stolen by Chicago authorities.
Area Port Director Gaetano Cordone praised the CBP officers' efforts: “Thanks to the outstanding work of our CBP officers, another criminal was removed from our streets,” he stated. He also highlighted their collaboration with state and local partners in ensuring public safety.
After processing by CBP officers, Escalona was handed over to the Buffalo Police Department. He is currently being held as a Fugitive from Justice while awaiting extradition.
CBP remains committed to its role as America's largest law enforcement organization, focusing on border security and facilitating lawful travel and trade.
