A man faces charges of human smuggling after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit in Cochise County. The chase, which took place Wednesday night, involved a white Chevy Camaro that reportedly reached speeds of up to 120 mph on Highway 80, just north of Tombstone, as reported by 12News.
The incident began when deputies attempted a traffic stop around 9:13 p.m., only for the driver to accelerate and engage in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, at times forcing other cars off the road. According to 12News, deputies, along with the Tombstone Marshal's Office, continued their pursuit of the vehicle.
During the chase, the Camaro made an abrupt stop to unload a passenger clad in camouflage who swiftly escaped on foot into the night, eluding capture. Efren David Cosme Malohua, the 21-year-old driver from Mesa, then resumed the high-speed flight, as noted by AZFamily, intermittently flashing his vehicle's headlights on and off in an erratic manner.
Subsequently, Malohua was apprehended and booked into the Cochise County Jail. He faces felony charges of human smuggling and unlawful flight, along with a misdemeanor charge for reckless driving. The bond for his release has been set at $50,000, as per AZFamily. Details surrounding the unidentified passenger and the events that precipitated the chase remain undisclosed as the investigation continues.
