Fact Check: LAPD claims it did not detain or arrest the woman involved.

Fact Check: LAPD Claims It Did Not Detain or Arrest the Woman Involved

What We Know

The incident in question involves Andrea Velez, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen who was detained during an immigration raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in downtown Los Angeles. According to reports, Velez was accused of "forcefully obstructing" ICE officers during their operation, which led to her arrest on charges of assaulting a federal officer (NBC News). However, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) stated that they were not involved in her detention or arrest, clarifying that they were called to the scene in response to a report of a kidnapping but arrived to find a federal operation already in progress. The LAPD emphasized that they made no arrests during the incident and that they had no prior knowledge of the ICE operation (ABC News).

Analysis

The LAPD's assertion that they did not detain or arrest Velez is supported by their official statement, which indicates that while they were present at the scene, they did not engage in any arrest activities. The statement noted that a woman, believed to be Velez, was approached by federal agents who took control of her after she had been partially handcuffed and was near a LAPD officer (NBC News, ABC News).

The credibility of the LAPD's statement is bolstered by the lack of conflicting evidence from other law enforcement sources. The LAPD's involvement was limited to crowd control, as they reported that the situation became increasingly agitated but did not escalate to any arrests on their part (NBC News).

On the other hand, the claims made by Velez's family and attorney regarding excessive force and wrongful detention highlight a significant concern regarding the actions of ICE officers. They argue that Velez was a victim of police brutality and that her rights were violated (NBC News). However, these claims do not directly contradict the LAPD's assertion, as they focus on the actions of federal agents rather than the LAPD's involvement.

Overall, the LAPD's statement appears to be consistent with the evidence available, and there are no credible sources that directly dispute their claim of non-involvement in the arrest.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The LAPD's claim that it did not detain or arrest the woman involved is supported by their official statements and the context of the incident. While there are serious allegations regarding the conduct of ICE officers, the LAPD's role was limited to responding to a report of a kidnapping, and they confirmed that they made no arrests during the operation.