Border Patrol arrests dad, takes away toddler

Federal immigration agents detained a man in Cypress Park on Tuesday whose toddler was strapped into the back seat of his vehicle, according to video shared with The Times. After two agents climbed into his car — along with their weapons — they drove off with the child as onlookers protested.

- BRITTNY MEJIA AND RUBEN VIVES

ARMED agents leave a Home Depot with a toddler in the back seat after taking her father into custody.

Los Angeles Rapid Response Network

The 32-year-old man who was detained during the enforcement operation at a Home Depot was a U.S. citizen, according to an immigration lawyer who spoke with his family.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told The Times on Tuesday night that the man allegedly "exited his vehicle wielding a hammer and threw rocks at law enforcement while he had a child in his car."

"He was arrested for assault and during his arrest a pistol was found in his car, that is reported stolen out of the state of New York," the statement read. "The individual has an active warrant for property damage."

Border Patrol agents had been conducting a "targeted immigration enforcement operation" outside the Home Depot in Cypress Park, which led to the arrests of five undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala, according to the unidentified spokesperson. Homeland Security said their criminal histories included DUI, driving without a license and prior removal from the country.

The incident was among several immigration enforcement operations in L.A. County, activists said, after agents were seen early Tuesday amassing outside Dodger Stadium.