Federal authorities moved swiftly in Minneapolis this week after unrest surrounding an immigration enforcement operation spilled into outright criminal activity, culminating in the arrest of an alleged gang member accused of stealing sensitive government property from an FBI vehicle. The arrest marks a sharp escalation in a situation that has already drawn national attention for its volatility and political overtones.
According to federal officials, Raul Gutierrez, 33, identified as a member of the violent Latin Kings gang, was taken into custody Thursday in a joint operation involving the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The arrest followed Wednesday night’s unrest in Minneapolis, during which multiple FBI vehicles were vandalized and broken into while agents were responding to reports of an assault on a federal officer.
The Anti-ICE people are doing immigration checkpoints now. Papers, please. https://t.co/7vTzP5xLk5
— Magills (@magills_) January 15, 2026
The FBI confirmed that federal property was stolen from the damaged vehicles. FBI Director Kash Patel publicly identified Gutierrez as the suspect accused of stealing government property, stating that he has a violent criminal history and emphasizing that the investigation is far from over. Other suspects involved in the vandalism and theft, Patel said, are still being actively pursued.
The seriousness of the alleged crime became clearer as more details emerged. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the items stolen included FBI body armor and weaponry—equipment intended for federal agents, now allegedly taken during a chaotic night of protests and confrontations.
Bondi characterized the suspect as emblematic of the threats federal officers face daily, particularly when political leadership, in her view, fails to discourage or actively condemns lawlessness.
Today our @ATFHQ agents in Minneapolis, alongside @TheJusticeDept partners, executed an arrest warrant on a known member of the Latin Kings gang.
He allegedly stole @FBI body armor and weaponry, in addition to a long list of prior violent crimes.
This criminal is a perfect…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 16, 2026
White House border czar Tom Homan echoed that message in a televised interview, confirming that at least one stolen firearm had been recovered and that Gutierrez was now in custody. His comments suggested the arrest was only the beginning, warning that additional individuals involved in attacks on federal law enforcement would also be held accountable.
As authorities continue to investigate and pursue additional suspects, the Minneapolis unrest serves as a stark illustration of how quickly protests can devolve into organized criminal behavior—and how rapidly federal law enforcement is prepared to respond when that line is crossed.
