Trio arrested for allegedly trying to damage U.S. Border Patrol cars in Los Angeles

A trio of suspects was arrested for allegedly attempting to “impede and obstruct” Border Patrol vehicles in L.A. on Tuesday, an official says.  

According to a social media post from U.S. Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino, federal immigration officials were conducting enforcement operations in Van Nuys when three subjects used “improvised devices” to try and disable the agents’ vehicles.  

The incident had occurred “just moments” before Bovino’s 11:30 a.m. post.

Photos included in Bovino’s post show the devices, which appeared to be made of metal with nails sticking out and look to function similar to a homemade tire shredder – the device seen in the ground at the entrances and exits of parking lots which would pop the tires of someone who drives the wrong way over them.

The three people involved in Tuesday’s incident – who were not identified by name – now face felony charges, Bovino indicated. 

The post did not elaborate on whether the tires sustained significant damage, although one photo shows the improvised device stuck in one of the vehicle’s tires.