Who is Bobby Nunez: Man Faces Up to 10 Years in Jail After Towing ICE Vehicle Away During an Arrest

A Los Angeles tow‑truck driver, Bobby Nunez, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly towing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle from a law enforcement operation on 15 August 2025. If convicted of theft of government property, he faces up to ten years in prison.
A Dramatic Scene in Los Angeles
According to court filings, 33-year-old Nunez pulled up in his tow truck and hooked up an official ICE vehicle parked nearby. He then hauled it several blocks away before officers could react.
The action briefly disrupted the arrest and forced agents to call for backup. The vehicle was later recovered without damage, but prosecutors argued the stunt wasn't harmless; it amounted to theft of government property and direct interference with federal law enforcement.
One official told reporters the act was not just about the car but about the risk it created. 'Federal operations depend on security and continuity. When that's undermined, it puts everyone at risk,' the prosecutor said.

Who is Bobby Nunez?
The court documents describe Nunez as a tow-truck driver based in Los Angeles. Beyond that, little is publicly known about his personal background. Early social media chatter painted him as an activist, but prosecutors and official filings make no mention of political ties.
Friends and supporters online have called him impulsive but sympathetic to immigrant communities. Critics, however, see his actions as reckless.
The New York Post reported only that he was working as a tow-truck operator when the unusual clash with ICE unfolded.
The Charges and Legal Fallout
Nunez has been charged with stealing a government vehicle and obstructing federal officers, both serious felonies. If found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison as well as steep fines.
His defence has suggested that his actions were spur-of-the-moment rather than part of an organised effort to disrupt ICE operations. They are expected to push for leniency, pointing to the fact that the vehicle was returned intact and that no one was physically harmed.

Divided Public Reaction
The case has already sparked fierce debate. On social media, some hailed Nunez as 'brave' for standing up to ICE in a city where immigration enforcement remains controversial. Others condemned the act as a dangerous overstep, warning that undermining federal officers crosses a legal line that courts are unlikely to excuse.
A former prosecutor put it bluntly: 'Whether you agree with ICE or not, obstructing a federal arrest undermines the rule of law.'
What Comes Next
Nunez was taken into federal custody following the incident. The Post did not confirm whether he had been released on bond, but a court hearing is expected later this autumn. At that time, prosecutors will lay out their whole case, and Nunez's legal team will have its chance to argue for a lesser outcome.
For now, the story of Bobby Nunez sits at the crossroads of law enforcement, community resistance, and the limits of protest. To some, he is a symbol of defiance; to others, an example of what happens when ordinary citizens take the law into their own hands.
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