2 Suspects Arrested in Border Patrol Agent Assault
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WESLACO – Authorities in New Mexico arrested two people accused of kidnapping an off-duty El Paso Border Patrol agent.
Fernando Puga, 31, was taken into custody Thursday.
Puga, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was charged with suspicion of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.
Sergio Ivan Vanegas-Qinonez, 33, was arrested for aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated assault.
The Border Patrol agent was attacked with a machete in El Paso last week. He was found on the side of the road with serious injuries to his head, chest and hands.
Related story: Border Patrol Union: Agents Facing Increase in Aggression
He remains hospitalized in critical condition.
U.S. Custom and Border Protection sent out an alert to agents across the country to be alert as a result of the incident.
A motive in the kidnapping and assault is still unknown.
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