Two Chicago residents are facing federal charges after allegedly using their cars as weapons against U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Marimar Martinez, 30, and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, 21, are accused of assaulting and obstructing the agents with their vehicles last Saturday in Southwest Chicago.
The altercation reportedly took place near West 39th Street and South Kedzie Avenue. After striking an agent's vehicle containing three CBP officers, the defendants' cars hemmed in the federal vehicle, rendering it immobile. The agent, finding himself trapped, discharged approximately five rounds from his service weapon at Martinez.
Martinez managed to flee the scene despite her injuries, but was later located at a repair shop about one mile away. She was subsequently hospitalized for treatment. Ruiz also left the scene, but was found by authorities at a nearby gas station. Both individuals were taken into custody and now await their initial court appearances in federal court in Chicago.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas S. DePodesta announced the charges, emphasizing that the accused are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The public has been reminded that the complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt.
