Witnesses say agents slammed on their brakes, causing a car that was following them to crash.
EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — Federal agents arrested multiple people after allegedly causing a crash in the north suburbs on Friday, witnesses told ABC7.
Neighbors say the terrifying moments unfolded earlier in the day at Evanston's intersection of Asbury and Oakton, just a few blocks from an elementary school. On Friday night, the Trump administration confirmed that three U.S. citizens were arrested.
Witnesses say a man and a woman in a red car were following the agents to warn people of their presence. That's when, the witnesses said, the agents slammed on their brakes just past the intersection, causing the people in the car following them to crash into them.
Neighbors say the agents then violently pulled the man and woman out of their car, and when members of a neighborhood watch patrol came to see what happened, one agent allegedly pulled a gun on one of the bystanders and threatened to pepper-spray him.
Evanston Fire Department paramedics responded to provide medical care for those exposed to pepper spray, Evanston police said in a statement.
Late Friday night, the Department of Homeland Security accused people who watched the incident happen of being "aggressive," saying in part, "As agents tried to make a U-turn, the red car crashed into Border Patrol. A hostile crowd surrounded agents and their vehicle, and began verbally abusing them and spitting on them."
Witnesses say the agents threw both the man and the woman into their vehicle and drove away. It is unclear where they were taken, and ABC7 blurred their faces, because we do not know if they have been charged with any crimes.
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Evanston police said agents made "one or two additional arrests" when they were confronted by community members.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, along with local school officials and residents gathered in protest of the incident.
"We were prepared for the worst of the worst, and I think this might have been worse than that. This was terrifying. It was terrifying to our community members. It was terrifying to a student who happened to be in a car and witnessed it. It is not OK," said Chute Middle School social worker Allie Harned.
The city of Evanston said in a message that there has been an increased number of federal agents in the community on Friday. The city issued a statement, saying, "Evanston stands as a Welcoming City and has just enacted Resolution 93-R-25, the Ice-Free Zones Resolution. This resolution reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive and safe community as we navigate these uncertain times together."
Just down the road in Skokie, people rushed out of their homes on Harding Avenue as, they said, federal agents targeted two plumbers working on a property on Friday afternoon.
Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was seen leading operations on the ground.
Witnesses said the two workers are U.S. citizens and did not end up getting detained as federal agents abruptly left the area.
Morgan Krupinsk, the homeowner who hired those workers, said it was disturbing to see them targeted.
Krupinsk says he voted for President Donald Trump in the election but no longer believes these operations are being carried out properly.
"I mean, two workers, American citizens, working on my lawn, for them to stop and profile them and ask them for papers, there's no constitutional right for them to do that," Krupinsk said.
It has been a quiet evening in Evanston since those incidents, as ABC7 has seen just a handful of trick-or-treaters in the area.
Many Evanston residents were on alert as school children left class, saying that federal agents had been in and around the area for most of the day.
The city of Evanston issued a statement about trick-or-treating safety, saying, "Please be advised that the City's official Trick-or-Treating hours are scheduled for today, October 31, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. With the increased presence of federal agents in our community today, we encourage families to exercise extra caution. Should you choose to participate in trick-or-treating, please remain vigilant. If you observe federal activity, please contact the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights hotline at 855-435-7693. For urgent safety concerns, call 9-1-1."
Residents are being encouraged to be out, whistles in hand and monitoring their neighborhoods for federal agents, to help keep everyone safe.
One District 65 official said immigration operations could be seen from schools on Friday, and leadership for school districts 65 and 202 closed their campuses for outside activity for the day.
Federal agents have also detained multiple people in Chicago on Friday.
"Today, U.S. Border Patrol conducted immigration enforcement operations in Evanston and Skokie, Illinois, that resulted in the arrest of five illegal aliens from Mexico, whose criminal histories include criminal trespass and multiple illegal entries into the country. All of these individuals have broken the immigration laws of our nation.
During an operation at Oakton Street and Ashbury Avenue in Evanston, agents observed they were being aggressively tailgated by a red vehicle. As agents tried to make a U-turn, the red car crashed into Border Patrol. A hostile crowd surrounded agents and their vehicle, and began verbally abusing them and spitting on them. As Border patrol arrested one individual, who actively resisted arrest, pepper spray was deployed spray to deter the agitator and disperse the crowd. Three U.S. citizens were arrested as a result of their violence against law enforcement.
"This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction. Over the past several days, we've seen an increase in assaults and deliberate vehicle rammings targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement. The violence must end."
"The Evanston Police Department responded Friday, Oct. 31, to several reports of federal agents conducting deportation operations throughout the city. Police supervisors responded to these reports; in only one instance did officers find federal agents on scene upon arrival.
At approximately 12:25 p.m., Evanston Police responded to reports from citizens and federal agents regarding a traffic crash in which a civilian vehicle rear-ended a federal vehicle. The crash led to a disturbance at the scene.
Preliminary information indicates that the driver of the civilian vehicle was taken into custody by federal agents. During that arrest, a confrontation occurred between community members and the agents, reportedly resulting in one or two additional arrests. Evanston Police officers worked to stabilize the scene and prevent further conflict between community members and federal agents.
Prior to police arrival, pepper spray appears to have been deployed. Evanston Fire Department paramedics responded to provide medical care for individuals exposed to pepper spray.
Evanston Police did not make any arrests and currently have no one in custody. The incident remains under investigation.
The Evanston Police Department will review this incident for referral to the Illinois Attorney General's Office. If you have information, including video or other evidence, please contact the Evanston Police Detective Bureau at 847-866-5040."
