Truck hits man during immigration enforcement operation in Rialto, video shows
Alarming video of an immigration enforcement operation in Rialto shows a pickup truck hit a man who then gets taken into custody by Border Patrol.
Following an investigation, Rialto police determined the encounter happened around 11:50 a.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of West Foothill Boulevard.
Video begins with a man running away from a large black pickup truck in a parking lot. He gets hit by the truck and is knocked to the ground briefly before he gets up to run away again.
He's quickly apprehended by two officers as more officers arrive in a white SUV. The man did not request medical attention, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In a statement given to Eyewitness News Wednesday, a DHS spokesperson said Border Patrol was "conducting immigration operations" when they encountered a food vendor from Guatemala suspected of being in the country illegally.
The man was allegedly not complying with commands and trying to evade agents, according to DHS.
"Federal law enforcement officers used their training to pursue the target on foot and had a vehicle prepositioning to prevent the subject from absconding," the statement said.
DHS said the man "made contact with the mirror on the Border Patrol's vehicle" and denied allegations agents ran him over. The man was taken into custody without incident.
In a statement released Tuesday, Rialto police said it wasn't aware which agency was involved in the incident.
"The Rialto Police Department did not receive prior notification of this incident, was not notified afterward, and was not involved in the incident at any time," the statement said.
Police Chief Mark Kling said the department is trying to find the driver of the black pickup truck.
"We understand that many in our community have concerns about immigration practices as they relate to law enforcement," Kling said in a statement. "I want to assure our community that our primary duty is to protect all residents and businesses, regardless of immigration status. If someone is a victim of a crime, their legal status does not affect our response."
An investigation is ongoing.
