Federal authorities have apprehended a suspected member of the Latin Kings gang, known for a violent criminal background, in connection to the theft of items from an FBI vehicle that was damaged during riots in Minneapolis earlier this week.
Raul Gutierrez, 33, was taken into custody on Thursday through a coordinated effort by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He has been accused of stealing bulletproof vests and firearms from a federal vehicle, as reported.
The incident involving the damage to government property was widely shared online, taking place during a riot on Wednesday in response to an assault on federal agents making arrests near Minneapolis.
Gutierrez seems to have been caught on video during the chaos.
Citizen journalist Nick Souter mentioned in a post that he recorded footage showing the faces and license plates of those involved, promising to share the evidence with “higher authorities at the FBI.”
“Please help us identify this individual by spreading the word,” Souter urged.
It appears Gutierrez is visible in the video, distinctly identified by a unique tattoo on his left arm. Authorities have not confirmed if Souter’s footage was instrumental in his arrest.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that one person suspected of stealing from an FBI vehicle had been arrested and indicated that more arrests are likely as the investigation continues.
The Director’s post also included a reward offer of up to $100,000 for additional information regarding the case.
Patel stated, “Time and again, those who attack law enforcement or damage federal property funded by hardworking Americans will be tracked down and arrested.”
The FBI reported multiple government vehicles were violated that night, leading to the theft of federal items.
Amid these events, tensions escalated in a Minneapolis neighborhood following news that federal agents were involved in a shooting at an immigration checkpoint.
Federal authorities clarified that an agent shot a Venezuelan man in the leg after he and others attacked the agent with makeshift weapons. All three individuals involved were in the country unlawfully and have since been detained.
Attorney General Pam Bondi later critiqued the unrest surrounding Gutierrez’s arrest. Local leaders, including Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have framed ICE activities as “disruptive” actions against communities of color.
“This criminal exemplifies the daily challenges our federal law enforcement officers face as some in Minnesota promote illegal actions,” Bondi remarked.
