ICE operation in Denver metro area ends with injured agent and shaken neighborhood
A Colorado community was rattled Saturday morning after immigration agents searched a Lakewood apartment building while attempting to detain a suspect in a hit-and-run crash, according to police and witnesses.
The incident unfolded around 10 a.m. near Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, when agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were conducting an operation to detain a suspect, Lakewood police said.
According to the Lakewood Police Department, the suspect rammed two federal immigration vehicles, injuring one agent. The suspect then got out of the car and ran into a nearby apartment building.
Lakewood police said officers responded because of concerns about community safety and the potential violation of local law. They set up a perimeter but said police officers did not engage the suspect or take part in the federal operation.
Police said federal agents later obtained a warrant and began searching the apartment building for the suspect. By that time, Lakewood police had cleared the scene.
Lakewood police said officers returned to the area later after receiving reports of altercations, injuries, and a growing crowd of onlookers.
Ernesto Macias, who lives across the street on South Ingalls Street, said he was driving home from work when he saw a large law enforcement presence in his neighborhood.
"I saw the ICE and several patrols from ICE, and I stayed until everything was pretty much done," Macias said.
He described a chaotic scene as agents tried to detain the suspect.
"He was pushing the only guy- trying to push him over and make him stop," Macias said. "But that's the only thing he did. After that, they stayed right here and didn't go anywhere until they got the person out of the building."
"They think they're above the law, and there's nobody above the law," Macias said. "They cannot do this. It's not a very good feeling seeing somebody, some kids, coming out of the unit and ICE with a bunch of guns. They don't need to do that."
Residents in the largely Spanish-speaking community said the incident has left neighbors fearful.
"They know ICE is here," Macias said. "They're never going to go out of the house anymore."
Video taken by a witness and reviewed by CBS News Colorado shows immigration enforcement officials entering a residence. A man was later taken into custody by the agents. After the agents left, damage was visible on a doorknob in the building.
Authorities have not released the suspect's identity or said whether the person is still in federal custody.
The Department of Homeland Security had not responded to a request for comment as of Monday morning.
