[niki]

According to the warrant, Nethercott refused to pull over for Border Patrol agents on Aug. 31. After a slow-speed chase, the warrant said that Nethercott entered "a compound in Douglas occupied by members of Ranch Rescue." Riddle was identified as one of the people there.

What reason and/or authority would the Border Patrol have to pull over an American citizen. Was he illegally crossing the border?

It sounds like the Border Patrol was acting as local cops.

[dasboot]

They may not have known, at the time of the pursuit, who he was. As long as they had a reasonable suspicion that he was involved in activity which it is the BP's duty to investigate, and they were within jurisdiction, they are OK.

I imagine an unknown M/V in a border area, furtively operated, would arouse suspicion....mules and jumpers are not unlikely to be operating stolen M/V's, yes? If he had stopped, he might have been all set; but he prolly had a snootfull, and thought they were the local constables, or he had some firearms in the car and didn't want a hassle...understandable: you never know who's behind the badge.

[Marie]

What reason and/or authority would the Border Patrol have to pull over an American citizen. Was he illegally crossing the border? It sounds like the Border Patrol was acting as local cops.

They pull a lot of folks over at the checkpoints down here. They've also hovered over my neighbor's roof (now *that* was funny) and *tried* to drive through my property. (The razer wire does tend to hinder them a bit) For the most part, all I ever see are a bunch of overworked guys doing their best to hold back the tide. I'm going to give the BP benefit of the doubt on this one until I know more.

What I *am* sure of is that the BP didn't shoot because he found heavily armed militia folks hunkered down in a "compound". I'm sure he had provocation. (The shot guy's record kind of casts a shadow of doubt on this one.)

[Poohbah]

What reason and/or authority would the Border Patrol have to pull over an American citizen. Was he illegally crossing the border?

Anyone driving along the border strip is going to be of interest to the Border Patrol--after all, he could be getting ready to pick up illegal aliens.

I've been pulled over three times by the Border Patrol. I never seem to get into trouble--but, then again, I don't promise them that I'll start a shootout.