Palatine police officer helps federal agents detain someone, department says

PALATINE, Ill. (WLS) — A north suburban police officer helped federal agents detain someone outside of a shopping plaza on Monday morning, officials said.

Palatine police said officers responded to the 1100-block of East Dundee Road for a report of a disturbance around 11:50 a.m.

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Three federal agents, wearing police insignia, were trying to take someone into custody, police said. Viewers shared videos of the incident, and ABC7 blurred the face of the person being detained, because it is unclear if they face any charges.

Police said about 20 people gathered around the scene, and some shouted obscenities and moved toward the agents.

Police said a Palatine officer put himself between the agents and the crowd, and he saw the agents struggling with the person they were trying to detain.

The Palatine Police Department said the officer “made a split-second decision to assist in stabilizing the situation” due to “the subject’s noncompliance, the agitated crowd, and the potential risk of injury.”

The department added, “The officer provided verbal instructions in Spanish to the subject and grasped the subject’s right arm, which was already being handcuffed, while agents secured the left arm helping to bring the incident to a safe and peaceful resolution.”

Why the person was detained was not immediately clear, and officials did not immediately say which agency the agents work for.

The Palatine Police Department said it “remains committed to complying with all state laws, and will continue to focus on building strong relationships with the community. The police department’s priority is to address criminal activity and ensure the safety of all residents. The police department is here to serve and protect all members of our community equally. Residents should feel safe reporting crimes without fear of immigration repercussions. By adhering to these principles, the police department demonstrates our commitment to fair and unbiased policing.”

ABC7 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Further information was not immediately available.