ICE Smashes Car Window To Detain NJ Man As He Left Courthouse

BRIDGETON, NJ — The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is defending its actions following a viral video showing a masked agent breaking a car window to detain a man on Thursday.

ICE is claiming agents "carefully" broke through a car window to get a man they say is a repeat offender.

Edgar Gomez-Ramirez, 41, of Vineland, had just left the Cumberland County Courthouse in Bridgeton, where court filings showed he was charged with fourth-degree assault by auto, when federal officers approached the car he was in.

In the video, a masked ICE agent can be seen smashing through the window with a baton, trying to detain him as Gomez's family screams in despair.

Gomez's wife, Deborah, who was in the car at the time and livestreaming the encounter on Facebook, said there was no explanation of why they took him away, and no warrant was shown.

A spokesperson with ICE told Patch on Monday that their move was "a targeted enforcement action on...an illegal alien from Mexico."

Gomez-Ramirez has allegedly entered the United States illegally three times.

According to ICE, he was given the chance to return to Mexico voluntarily on two different occasions.

On Thursday, officers saw Gomez getting into a vehicle and conducted a "lawful stop," the agency said.

Agents said they clearly identified themselves as federal law enforcement officers and wore appropriate identifiers.

The driver and passengers then refused to comply with multiple "lawful commands" that directed Gomez to get out of the car, according to ICE.

Everyone in the car was then notified that if they kept refusing to listen to directions, the windows could need to be broken "to ensure officer safety," according to ICE.

ICE said their agents prioritized safety and followed established protocols while they "carefully" broke the rear passenger side window to safely access Gomez and get him out of the vehicle as they followed training and used the minimum force necessary to complete the arrest.

"ICE officers will take the necessary and lawful actions in accordance with established policy to ensure the safety of all involved," the agency said.

According to ICE, Gomez is currently detained in their custody and will receive due process in immigration court.

Patch has reached out to Gomez's attorney for comment on Monday's response from ICE and is yet to hear back.

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