Zeta leader arrested in Reynosa

REYNOSA - A purported ringleader of Zeta operations here was arrested Saturday after he led Mexican federal police on a chase through the streets in a stolen pickup with Texas plates.

Sergio "El Concord" Peña Mendoza, 39, is suspected of leading local operations of the Zetas, the Gulf Cartel's enforcement wing, Mexican police reported late Saturday. He reportedly climbed to the level of Jaime "El Hummer" Gonzalez Duran, a founding member of the gang who was arrested in Reynosa in November.

Intelligence reports led federal police to Peña while he was in a stolen pickup on 10th Street in Reynosa, where he led police on a pursuit before being arrested.

Police seized an assault rifle found inside the truck.

Peña is suspected of killing a police official and a businessman in southern Mexico. He is also suspected of participating in an unsuccessful plot to free an imprisoned Zetas leader from jail in Guatemala.

Questioned by reporters as he was led through police installations in Mexico City, Peña denied the accusations.

The arrest comes a month after federal forces clashed with members of the Zetas in a midday shootout on the streets of Reynosa that left at least six dead.

Among those who U.S. officials said were killed in February's shootout was Hector "El Karis" Sauceda Gamboa, the suspected regional leader of the Gulf Cartel. Sauceda took control of the cartel's Reynosa plaza after Gonzalez's arrest.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.