Los Angeles Tow Truck Driver Faces Federal Charges for Towing ICE Vehicle

Bobby Nunez, a tow truck driver from South Los Angeles, was arrested and charged federally with theft of government property for illegally towing an ICE vehicle during an immigration arrest operation on August 15. The ICE agents had their emergency lights on and used their vehicles to box in the target, Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, an undocumented immigrant, while making the arrest at a luxury apartment complex. Nunez interfered with the arrest by yelling at agents, closing the door on one officer, and then hooked and towed one of the government vehicles that contained keys and a firearm inside, all while laughing and recording the chase on his phone. Videos posted to social media helped Homeland Security track him down, and if convicted, Nunez faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The incident has heightened tensions between activists and federal authorities in Los Angeles, where recent judicial rulings have challenged federal military enforcement tactics under President Trump’s administration. Federal prosecutors and officials have condemned Nunez’s actions as interference with immigration enforcement and warned of serious consequences.