Tow Truck Driver Arrested for Interfering with ICE Enforcement in Los Angeles

A tow truck driver was detained after allegedly filming himself and laughing while towing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle during a federal operation in downtown Los Angeles. The incident involved efforts to arrest undocumented immigrant Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, who was in the country illegally.

33-year-old Bobby Nunez was taken into custody after he attempted to interfere as federal agents tried to arrest Mafla-Martinez on August 15. The agents had her Tesla surrounded with law enforcement SUVs at a luxury high-rise parking garage to prevent her escape. During the operation, Nunez approached her car and tried to open the passenger door, despite warnings from officers that he was obstructing the investigation. According to authorities, he responded with threats, suggesting “something was going to happen” to the agents.

While officers focused on another individual approaching Mafla-Martinez’s Tesla, Nunez allegedly entered his tow truck and proceeded to tow away one of the law enforcement vehicles involved in the operation. Notably, the vehicle contained the keys and a firearm secured inside. Nunez reportedly continued filming and laughing throughout, even posting the footage on social media platforms.

Following the incident, federal investigators used videos posted on TikTok to track down Nunez. Law enforcement located his tow truck parked at the same upscale apartment complex shortly afterward. Nunez was charged with theft of government property and faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

Bobby Nunez, 33, was arrested for interfering with federal agents. — Bobby Nunez, 33, was arrested after allegedly towing a government vehicle in downtown LA.

The incident also involved Mafla-Martinez, who crossed the southern border illegally in 2022 and was later released after a DUI conviction that led to her federal arrest. She was taken to a detention center near the Mexican border. Her lawyer claimed she was targeted for using her social media account, which has over 47,000 followers, to report ICE operations. According to the lawyer, Mafla-Martinez only demanded to see a warrant, which authorities did not display.