ICE arrests alleged MS-13 member after chase

Walter Alexander Soto-Rodriguez was taken into federal custody on Thursday, October 29, after a vehicle pursuit in Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers identified the arrestee as a documented member of the MS-13 Gangsters Clique. The agency stated that Soto-Rodriguez, a Salvadoran national, lived in the United States without legal status.

ICE officials reported that Soto-Rodriguez attempted to escape in his car when agents moved to detain him. During the flight, the suspect clipped the corner of an ICE vehicle and struck several parked cars. Investigators allege he drove at high speeds, maneuvered around civilian traffic, and entered oncoming lanes before losing control. The vehicle fishtailed and crashed into a guardrail. Officers secured the disabled car to prevent further movement before Soto-Rodriguez exited and ran on foot for approximately 20 feet.

Agents caught the suspect and placed him under arrest. No civilians or law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. Robert Guadian, director of the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Washington, D.C. Field Office, said in a release that Soto-Rodriguez placed motorists at risk. Guadian described the arrestee as a danger to Northern Virginia communities.

Federal authorities claim Soto-Rodriguez entered the United States in May 2016 near Lukeville, Arizona, without inspection or admission. A Department of Justice immigration judge issued a final order for his removal on May 8, 2025. The agency noted that Soto-Rodriguez remains in federal custody pending removal proceedings. Officials stated he will receive due process under the law.

The arrest follows a series of operations by the Washington, D.C. Fugitive Operations Team. The team targets individuals with documented gang ties who lack lawful status. The incident occurred in a residential area of Fairfax County. Local traffic patterns were briefly affected during the pursuit and subsequent cleanup. The agency released the details of the crash and the suspect's background in a written statement.

Soto-Rodriguez is scheduled for a hearing in the coming weeks to determine the timeline of his removal. The vehicle involved in the crash sustained damage to the front end and passenger side. Parked cars near the crash site also sustained minor damage. The guardrail was replaced by county workers. The suspect's legal representative has not yet filed a motion for bond. Federal officials confirmed that no other suspects were involved in the incident.

The arrest is part of a coordinated effort to remove undocumented individuals with gang affiliations from the region. ICE has increased its presence in Northern Virginia over the past year. The agency works with local police to track vehicles and identify suspects. The incident highlights the risks involved in high-speed pursuits in urban areas. Soto-Rodriguez will remain in a federal detention facility until his removal date is finalized.