ICE agents ram car to take man into custody in Boyle Heights
BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man was arrested in Boyle Heights Wednesday morning after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents rammed into his car and pinned it between two unmarked cars.
The collision was reported at 10:47 a.m. in the 3700 block of Whittier Boulevard, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told ABC7. Witnesses said federal agents in two unmarked vehicles -- a pickup truck and an SUV -- were involved in the incident, along with a civilian vehicle, a white sedan.
LAPD said the crash was being investigated as a possible assault with a deadly weapon involving federal agents who left the scene.
In a statement, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said it was not a hit-and-run.
"This was a targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched a CBP officer. When Homeland Security Investigations tried to arrest Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho for the assault, he attempted to flee. He was ultimately arrested and taken into custody."
Surveillance video showed the moment the federal agents came out of one of the vehicles drawing their weapons on the car. Soon after, an agent tossed tear gas canisters near the vehicle.
A male driver, a woman passenger, a toddler and a baby in the backseat were all in the car at the moment of the incident.
Witnesses said the agents dragged the male out of the car and took off, leaving the children screaming and the woman frantic. The federal vehicles apparently departed before a small crowd gathered on the sidewalk.
No serious injuries were immediately reported, but the woman was treated by paramedics before being transported to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately known.
Aerial video from AIR7 showed LAPD officers and Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters at the crash site.
"He was an American citizen and they're getting him out of the car," said Jesus Trujillo, the man's family member. "They just took him out using force and everything, pulling out guns while kids are in the car. That's not right."
Witnesses claim the ICE agents had followed the vehicle for miles, apparently looking to apprehend the male driver.
"He is an American citizen and they dragged him out and supposedly had a warrant for his arrest, but not one showed a warrant," said community activist Verita Topete." So what is the arrest for? Because he was protesting? Because he was using his first amendment rights?"
She said it broke her heart seeing the children screaming and the woman frantic as agents violently dragged the man out of the car taking him into custody and taking off.
"The agents were pointing guns at her and her child. We saw her with one of her hands up and her toddler child in the other hand," Topete added. "He was crying and the mother was in a lot of distress. She was frantic, she was in distress."
The investigation is ongoing.
