An Elgin man, Luis Jesus Acosta Gutierrez, was arrested Saturday after an hourslong standoff with ICE agents, as announced by the Department of Homeland Security. Gutierrez, who is claimed to have intentionally crashed an officer’s car into a tree is further accused of being a member of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, according to DHS. The FOX 32 Chicago reported that no officers were injured during the action of his arrest.
After the car crash, it is alleged that Gutierrez fled to an unknown resident’s apartment, subsequently barricading himself inside. DHS stated he emerged on the balcony, prompting negotiations from ICE agents to coax him out. During this time, DHS reports a crowd gathered, hurling rocks and bottles at the agents. In response, ICE deployed tear gas and flash-bang grenades, which The Chicago Sun-Times noted as a measure that deeply disappointed Elgin Mayor David Kaptain. He described the agents’ response to protesters as discouraging and disgusting.
The stand-off drew widespread attention after the Elgin Police Department was said to have refused to protect ICE agents amidst the uproar, a claim laid out by DHS. Contrary to this assertion, the Elgin police reported they cleared the area and treated seven people affected by the chemical irritants released by federal agents. As clarified by local law enforcement, their actions were in line with the Illinois Trust Act, which limits their involvement in federal immigration enforcement actions. This information was detailed in a statement obtained by The Chicago Sun-Times…