LOS ANGELES, CA - On Saturday, April 25, a protester was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for allegedly spraying a chemical agent at officers near a federal detention facility.
The alleged incident nearly caused a traffic collision, police said. According to the LAPD's Central Division, officers were attempting to clear debris from the roadway near the Federal Detention Center when they were surrounded by several protesters, KTLA reported.
Police said officers tried to de-escalate the situation by leaving the area, but as they got into their patrol vehicle and began to drive away, a protester allegedly reached into the vehicle and sprayed a chemical agent.
Both officers were able to leave the area safely and later requested medical assistance. They were treated at the scene and later released. The suspect, since identified as Stephan Lara, 34, was arrested a short time later on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, according to MyNewsLa.com.
The Detention Center has been a target for protesters since 2025, when the Trump administration launched a crackdown on illegal immigration in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere across the country.
The alleged incident nearly caused a traffic collision, police said. According to the LAPD's Central Division, officers were attempting to clear debris from the roadway near the Federal Detention Center when they were surrounded by several protesters, KTLA reported.
Police said officers tried to de-escalate the situation by leaving the area, but as they got into their patrol vehicle and began to drive away, a protester allegedly reached into the vehicle and sprayed a chemical agent.
Both officers were able to leave the area safely and later requested medical assistance. They were treated at the scene and later released. The suspect, since identified as Stephan Lara, 34, was arrested a short time later on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, according to MyNewsLa.com.
The Detention Center has been a target for protesters since 2025, when the Trump administration launched a crackdown on illegal immigration in the Los Angeles area and elsewhere across the country.
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