A South Los Angeles tow truck driver, Bobby Nunez, 33, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging theft of government property. Nunez is accused of towing a law enforcement vehicle that officers were using during an immigration-related arrest in downtown Los Angeles earlier this month.
Court documents state that on August 15, federal officers were arresting Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a 23-year-old Colombian national living in downtown Los Angeles without legal status. The officers had used two government vehicles with emergency lights activated to block Martinez’s car at the exit of a luxury apartment building’s parking structure.
During the attempt to detain Martinez, Nunez reportedly approached and pressed her vehicle’s passenger door against one of the officers. The officer threatened Nunez with arrest after he was told about the ongoing federal investigation. According to the affidavit, Nunez responded by swearing at the officers and saying “Something was going to happen” to them.
A second individual then approached and tried to interfere as well. While officers dealt with this person, Nunez allegedly entered his Dodge tow truck and removed one of the government vehicles from its position boxing in Martinez’s car. At that time, the vehicle contained its keys and a firearm secured inside.
Two days later, authorities reported seeing Nunez’s tow truck parked at a designated space in the same luxury apartment complex where the incident took place.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted: “A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
If convicted on the charge of theft of government property, Nunez faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorney Neil P. Thakor from the General Crimes Section is prosecuting.
