Prominent West Hartford Restaurant Owner 'Abducted' By ICE At Local Dunkin: Congressman

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A prominent West Hartford businessman and restaurateur was, in the words of a local congressman, "abducted" by federal agents earlier this month and taken away to a Rhode Island detention facility.

U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-West Hartford, posted a video Sunday criticizing federal immigration authorities after the West Hartford business owner was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents outside a Dunkin' restaurant.

He called the arrest "heartbreaking" and urged an end to what he described as "needless apprehension."

Larson posted a video Sunday evening from outside the Dunkin' location where he said the incident occurred one week earlier.

Appearing alongside him was Emir Cecunjanin, the son of the detained man, whom Larson identified as Seyo Cecunjanin.

According to Larson, Seyo Cecunjanin had just exited the Dunkin' and was walking to his vehicle when ICE agents stopped him.

Larson said five vehicles surrounded Cecunjanin, blocked his car, and took him away in handcuffs to Rhode Island.

"No local police. No state police. No local officials were informed at all. This is a continuation of what has happened in East Hartford, in Newington, and what's happening in Southington," Larson said in the video. "It can happen anywhere and to anyone."

Larson described Cecunjanin as the owner of a local restaurant and a local laundromat, adding that he is "everything we want out of an American citizen, who not only employs people, but has done all the right things."

"It's heartbreaking to see what's going on here," Larson said. "And action has to be taken. We have to stop this."

He also called on ICE to halt what he described as the "needless apprehension" of people who are "doing the right thing."

Emir Cecunjanin said the incident occurred Saturday morning while he and his father were leaving the Dunkin' after picking up coffee and bagels.

According to Emir Cecunjanin, ICE agents displayed firearms during the encounter.

"I tried pleading with the officers, but to no avail," he said. "They didn't care about anything I was saying, and they took him away with the snap of a finger."

"This is not right. My father is not a criminal. He is a hard-working man, and we try to give back to the community," he added.

According to "West Hartford Book," a West Hartford online business directory, Seyo Cecunjanin owns Portobello Restaurant, an Italian restaurant at 156 Park Road, and The Laundry Room on the Ave., a dry cleaning and wash-and-fold business at 772 Farmington Ave.

Patch has contacted ICE's media relations office seeking comment on the detention and has not received a response.

Patch has also reached out to the Town of West Hartford and the West Hartford Police Department.