FBI Investigates Damaged ICE Warehouse in Arizona
A federal inquiry has begun following reports of damage at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warehouse located in Surprise, Arizona, in the early hours of Saturday.
The FBI’s Phoenix office stated that local police were called to the scene around 1:30 a.m. after receiving a report of criminal activity at the ICE facility. Upon arrival, authorities discovered broken windows and signs of what they described as “small and limited fire activity” within the building.
As of Saturday afternoon, no details about potential suspects or any arrests have been shared.
Attempted Arson at DHS Office in Idaho
This incident follows closely on the heels of a separate attempted arson at a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) building in Meridian, Idaho. According to Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterechea, suspects allegedly stole an ambulance from St. Luke’s West Hospital on Wednesday. They then drove it through a nearby parking lot and picked up a gas can that had been hidden in some vegetation.
Chief Basterechea mentioned that the unidentified suspect drove the ambulance straight into the North Portico office, which houses DHS offices. Fortunately, the suspect was unable to ignite the accelerant he had poured inside and outside the ambulance before being scared off by responding agencies.
Concerns About Safety and Community Response
Basterechea commented on the situation, noting that the location is well-known to locals. “There’s been quite a bit of discussion around the DHS leasing office space here,” he said. “Claims made online like ‘Damaging property isn’t violence’ are simply not true. This was a violent act, and if the suspect hadn’t intervened, the building would likely have caught fire, endangering many, including first responders.”
The investigation into the Idaho attack is being led by the Meridian Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, ATF, DHS, Idaho State Police, and other local agencies.
The FBI is also looking into the incident that occurred in Arizona, with support from the ATF. Neither DHS, ICE, nor ATF immediately addressed further inquiries regarding the situation.
