A shelter-in-place order was lifted at Camp Pendleton after two suspects who broke into the Marine installation after a law enforcement pursuit were apprehended after a “high-stakes” six-hour manhunt, authorities said.
According to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the incident began when two individuals fleeing local law enforcement broke through a fence at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and infiltrated the facility.
The suspects allegedly abandoned their vehicle in a base housing area and escaped on foot, forcing authorities to conduct a massive search and issue a temporary shelter-in-place order to protect military personnel.
NCIS reported that around 30 individuals were mobilized as part of the operation, which included numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Investigators also used intelligence and tracking tools from the agency’s Multiple Threat Alert Center and Regional Enforcement Action Capabilities Team.
According to NCIS, both individuals were apprehended without incident following a six-hour manhunt.
Authorities say more than 112 pounds of cocaine and fentanyl were found in the defendants’ vehicle.
NCIS attributed the successful operation to collaboration among multiple agencies, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Border Patrol, and Camp Pendleton’s Provost Marshal’s Office.
“Thanks to NCIS personnel, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Camp Pendleton Provost Marshal’s Office, the DEA, U.S. Border Patrol and other responding agencies for your seamless teamwork and dedication to keeping our military installations safe,” NCIS posted on social media.
Officials did not immediately provide any other information on the suspects, such as their identities, where the pursuit began, or the criminal charges they may face.
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