After leading Sheriff's deputies on a two-hour wild goose chase, a 19-year-old man who said he had been living in Elba is in federal custody for allegedly re-entering the country illegally.
Fredy Perez Cortes was found shortly after 12:15 p.m. wandering barefoot at the intersection of Slusser and Galloway roads in Oakfield.
A local resident had given him water, but then called the Sheriff's Office. When Deputy Brian Thompson arrived, Cortes allegedly fled into a nearby farm field and Thompson used his K-9 to chase him and corner him.
Cortes reportedly told Thompson that he and a friend had been in the area looking for work when their truck broke down. He said his friend was somewhere in the area looking for a car to steal.
More deputies responded to the area and began a search for a white pickup truck and a Mexcan male wearing sandles, a dark shirt and light blue pants.
When Cortes was searched following his apprehension, Thompson found a car key in his jeans' pocket.
After it was apparent there wasn't much about Cortes story that was checking out, Thompson remembered that earlier today a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am had been found in the West Batavia area near Donahue Road. It apparently had been involved in a property damage accident and had been towed to Parise's Automotive. Thompson took the key to the car and it fit.
Allegedly, Cortes had been driving the car, possibly after drinking, and then fled the scene of the accident. He then became lost in the Town of Oakfield and stopped at a farmhouse asking for water.
Thompson said he does not believe Cortes actually broke into any residences and that there never was a second subject involved in the incident.
No New York charges are pending.
"It is much more expedient to allow the ICE officers to handle the situation," Thompson said.
Cortes was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officer
K. Hobart. He will be charged with illegal re-entry after deportation, a federal felony.
