Bolingbrook Releases Video Of ICE Arrest In Police Station Lobby

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Bolingbrook Police Department has released video of the arrest of a 40-year-old Bolingbrook man by federal agents that happened in the police department lobby.

The Village said it "is committed to keeping the public informed with the latest information regarding the Jan. 27 ICE arrest which has justifiably garnered great public interest."

The arrest happened on Tuesday after the man went to the Bolingbrook Police Department to report an incident that happened with the federal agents.

Police said Tuesday they were unaware that agents were conducting "targeted immigration enforcement" at a home on Hywood Lane.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta said, "The Bolingbrook Police Department was not involved in the planning or execution of the federal action that occurred and does not engage in immigration enforcement, in accordance with Illinois Law. Our officers remain focused on their primary mission of keeping our community safe and responding to emergencies. Bolingbrook is a diverse and caring community, and Village leadership remains committed to transparency, clear communication, and keeping residents informed."

A statement released on Wednesday shares that the man entered the police department's public access lobby and spoke to a civilian records clerk. The man told the civilian employee that he wanted to report an earlier interaction with an unidentified officer who had deployed a Taser at him.

The employee notified the dispatch center, who called an officer to respond.

"A patrol supervisor responded to the lobby as is standard practice for our department regarding employee complaints," police said.

The supervisor arrived in the lobby and discovered that four federal law enforcement agents were already there and had taken the man into custody, police said. Agents were identified by placards on their chests and backs displaying the word "police," and also wore patches representing Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"The BPD supervisor quickly dispelled any concerns that the man’s complaint referenced any Bolingbrook Police Officer and stood by to ensure the security of all involved," police said.

The supervisor learned that the agents had followed the man to the department after he left the scene of their original contact, according to police.

The agents did not possess a warrant for the man, but took him into custody for the incident that happened on Hywood Lane, police said.

In a statement on Tuesday from Bolingbrook Police, it was stated that federal agents told police that agents were at Hywood Lane conducting this immigration enforcement at a home. During their investigation, the agents came into contact with the 40-year-old man, who was inside a nearby pick-up truck, according to police.

The agents told police the man was ordered to identify himself and exit the vehicle. The man refused the agents’ orders and drove through the grass before intentionally ramming an agent’s vehicle head-on, while it was parked with its emergency lights activated, federal agents told police.

After taking the man into custody, the agents left the area shortly after. Police said that the involved federal agents are not seeking charges related to the criminal damage to property report taken by the Bolingbrook Police Department.

Police said it does not possess video from the scene on Hywood Lane, but there was evidence of damage to both vehicles. The department has released video from the arrest inside the lobby.

You can find video of the incident on BPD's Youtube channel.

"After thorough review of this incident, it has been determined that Bolingbrook Police Department personnel adhered to department policy as well as the provisions of the Illinois TRUST Act," police said.