Man Arrested for Towing Government Vehicle During Federal Arrest
LOS ANGELES – A 33-year-old man from South Los Angeles has been arrested adn charged with theft of government property after allegedly towing a law enforcement vehicle used during a federal immigration arrest.
Bobby Nunez,a tow truck driver,is expected to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles today.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on August 15th in downtown Los Angeles. Federal law enforcement officers were arresting Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, 23, of Colombia, and had used two government vehicles to block her car at the exit of a parking structure. Both vehicles had thier emergency lights activated.
During the arrest, Nunez allegedly interfered, initially by physically impeding an officer. After being informed the officers were conducting a federal examination, he reportedly threatened them. while officers dealt with a second individual attempting to interfere, Nunez used his tow truck to tow away one of the government vehicles, which contained the vehicle’s keys and a locked firearm.
Law enforcement located Nunez’s tow truck two days later at the same apartment complex.
Nunez faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Neil P.Thakor.
It is indeed critically important to remember that a criminal complaint contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
