L.A. tow truck driver accused of illegally towing government car during immigration raid

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A tow truck driver from South Los Angeles has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he illegally towed a government vehicle used by law enforcement during an immigration-related arrest.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued a media release on Tuesday morning indicating that Bobby Nunez, 33, was charged with one count of theft of government property. 

An affidavit filed with the complaint states that on Aug. 15, Nunez interfered with federal law enforcement officers conducting immigration enforcement in downtown L.A. The case involved a 23-year-old Colombian woman named Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, whose vehicle was boxed in by two government vehicles, preventing her from getting away. 

“Both government vehicles had their emergency lights activated during this incident, which occurred at the exit of a luxury apartment complex’s parking structure,” the DOJ stated Tuesday.

While officers tried to arrest Mafla-Martinez, a struggle ensued and Nunez approached her vehicle. According to the Justice Department, Nunez then started pressing the passenger side door of Mafla-Martinez’s vehicle against one of the officers, who threatened him with arrest. 

“After being told the officers were conducting a federal investigation, Nunez swore at the officers and told them ‘Something was going to happen’ to them,” federal officials said. “A second man then approached Martinez’s vehicle to interfere with the arrests.”

While the second man was being addressed by the officers, Nunez allegedly got into his tow truck and towed one of the government cars blocking Mafla-Martinez’s car. Per the DOJ, the car he towed had its keys inside and also had a firearm, although it was locked in a safe. 

Nunez’s tow truck was found two days later parked in an assigned parking space in the same luxury apartment complex where the incident occurred; however, officials only arrested Nunez on Tuesday.

United States Attorney Bill Essayli posted video of the incident – which included footage of Mafla-Martinez being arrested and Nunez towing the government car. (Note: The video posted by U.S. Attorney Essayli contains profanity. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Another video included in the post shows Nunez being escorted by an officer into a law enforcement facility.

“How it started versus how it’s going…Bobby Nunez is now under arrest for brazenly towing an ICE vehicle,” Essayli’s post read. “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 was expected to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon. 

If convicted as charged, he would face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.