ICE Searching for Escaped Detainee Near Dulles Airport

UPDATE 4pm:

DULLES, Va. (AP) – An immigration detainee is back in custody after authorities say he briefly escaped a stopped vehicle near Dulles International Airport, prompting a two-hour search.

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Alexsandra Kowalski says Carlos Rivas-Mendez was apprehended in a Loudoun County industrial park about 2:30 p.m. Monday.

She said Rivas-Mendez had been picked up on a public intoxication charge and transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which had placed a detainer on him.

According to ICE, Rivas-Mendez had been previously deported. ICE said he was being transported Monday when he complained that his handcuffs were too tight. The vehicle stopped on the Dulles Greenway around noon to address his complaint, when he escaped.

Kowalski said he was brought back into custody without incident after he was found.

UPDATE 3:20pm: ICE says it has Rivas-Mendez in custody. See below for the original story.

RESTON — (WMAL) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is searching for Carlos Rivas-Mendez near Dulles Airport.

Reports of a search involving ICE had been circulating in the early afternoon hours.

Around 2:15 PM, ICE released a statement confirming the search:

“ICE is working with its law enforcement partners to locate Carlos Rivas-Mendez, last seen near the intersection of Route 28 and 267, wearing a white shirt and camouflage shorts. If you encounter this individual, please call Loudoun County at 703-777-1021 or 911.”

ICE also released a photo of the escapee.

This is a developing story and will be updated.