Wanted man arrested

PRESIDIO U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents working at the Presidio port of entry nabbed a man wanted in connection with a Missouri homicide investigation late Saturday night. The man was stopped as officers and agents were performing inspections of people attempting to leave the United States and enter Mexico at the West Texas international border crossing point.

"The suspect was just yards away from making it to Mexico when CBP officers made the apprehension," said John Prewit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Presidio Port Director.

At approximately 10:20 p.m. Saturday, a man driving a black 1995 Jeep Wrangler was stopped after CBP officers determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Kirksville, Mo. Officers then questioned the driver, 33-year-old Stephen H. Palmer, and discovered that he was wanted by authorities in Pike County, Mo., in connection with a house fire that killed a man Thursday.

Palmer was taken into custody and CBP officers confirmed the warrant information with law enforcement officials at the Pike County Sheriff's office. Palmer was turned over to the custody of the Presidio County Sheriff's office and booked into the Presidio County jail to await extradition to Missouri.

"CBP officers routinely perform outbound inspections looking for people who are smuggling money, weapons and ammunition out of the country. These exams also result in the apprehension of numerous fugitives," said Prewit. "It is part of the CBP mission to keep this country safe."