Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden says he'll introduce a bill to expedite cross-border pursuits of suspects who flee to Mexico. April Baer reports.

It doesn't happen a lot, but once in a while, police are looking for felony suspects who've run to Mexico.

Sheriffs and prosecutors from several cities joined Wyden to say how frustrating that is for them.

Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson says there's an aspect of Mexican law that targets fugitives from the States. It's called Article Four.

John Haroldson  "Article Four has a fascinating historical context -- one that came about in the wake of Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Pancho Villa -- this was during a time when people could cross the border and escape apprehension and accountability."

Article Four is a legal provision that allows Mexican officials to prosecute cases that took place outside their jurisdiction.

Many Northwest law enforcement officials don't know about it, or lack experience with its highly technical aspects.

Wyden's bill would create an office to handle such cases within the Justice Department, and fund training to help local police and prosecutors use Article Four.