12 illegal immigrants hidden in pickup that led Phoenix police on lengthy pursuit

12 hidden in pickup pursued by Phoenix police

TOLLESON, Ariz. — A dozen illegal immigrants were hidden in the truck bed and extended cab of a pickup that led police on a lengthy pursuit in west Phoenix.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says officers tried to stop the truck at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 10. The driver started to pull over but then took off.

The driver got on and off the freeway a few times before exiting.

Police followed the 2001 Ford F-150 into a residential area of southwest Phoenix. The truck pulled over and the driver and a passenger got out.

Then officers lifted a plywood cover on the truck bed and found nine people hiding beneath. Three others were in the extended cab of the pickup.