Tow Truck Driver Faces 10 Years in Prison for Allegedly Tows ICE Vehicle During Los Angeles Arrest

A South Los Angeles tow truck driver, Bobby Nunez, 33, has been arrested and charged with theft of government property after allegedly towing a federal law enforcement vehicle during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in mid-August. The incident, which occurred outside a downtown Los Angeles apartment complex on August 15, involved the arrest of 23-year-old Colombian TikToker Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, who was reportedly in the country illegally. Nunez now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

Federal authorities stated that ICE agents were attempting to arrest Mafla-Martinez, whose vehicle was boxed in by two government vehicles with activated emergency lights. During the struggle to detain Mafla-Martinez, Nunez allegedly interfered by pushing the passenger side door of her Tesla against an officer. According to the Department of Justice, Nunez then swore at officers and warned them that "Something was going to happen" to them.

While officers addressed another individual who approached Mafla-Martinez's vehicle, Nunez reportedly entered his tow truck and towed one of the government vehicles that was blocking her car. Video footage of the incident showed the government SUV, which contained keys and a firearm locked in a safe, being towed down the street. An officer was seen pursuing the tow truck on foot, with Nunez reportedly laughing and recording the scene on his cell phone.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California announced Nunez's arrest on September 2. Essayli stated on X, "Apparently he thought it would be funny to interfere with our immigration enforcement operations. Now he can laugh behind bars while he faces justice." Nunez's tow truck was later located two days after the incident, parked in a residential space at the same apartment complex.

The arrest of Mafla-Martinez, who had gained followers on TikTok by documenting ICE raids, and the subsequent interference by Nunez, drew significant public attention. Nunez made his initial court appearance following his arrest. The charges underscore the federal government's stance on interference with law enforcement operations, particularly those involving immigration enforcement.