Updated: 5:53 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2026
Two crew members working on an Inglewood city drain system project were detained by apparent federal agents on Tuesday, according to a city inspector who was at the work site monitoring the project.
William Payne, an inspector with Inglewood Public Works, said he was on site when a group of dark-colored SUVs pulled up to the city project in front of the Superior Grocer at the corner of La Brea and Beach avenues.
Masked men, some wearing clothes with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement markings, jumped out of the group of vehicles and arrested the two workers, Payne said.
Department of Homeland Security officials did not immediately return a request for comment. An Inglewood Police Department watch commander said the department received no calls regarding the incident.
Maria Barba, Inglewood Mayor James Butts’ executive assistant, told The LA Local via email: “At this time, our office has no prior knowledge or confirmation regarding the reported federal enforcement action involving workers at the storm drain project near the Superior Grocers on La Brea.”
Shaky footage posted to social media by the activist group Unión del Barrio shows a pair of large vehicles and individuals in tactical gear clustered around the work site.
Spencer Gammage was waiting in her car in the nearby parking lot before clocking in for a shift at Walgreens.
She saw a black truck with a driver in a ski mask pull through the parking lot and stop, she said, before three more vehicles joined.
She watched as men emerged from the trucks and tackled one of the workers, then she ran into Walgreens to tell people to stay inside.
When she came back outside, she said, the masked men were preparing to leave.
Ron Gochez, an organizer with Unión del Barrio, said the group had spoken with family members of or reviewed video showing at least 15 people being taken into custody in and around Inglewood and Lennox.
“We expect this to continue,” said Gochez, whose group patrols the streets of the Los Angeles area in the morning to keep an eye out for immigration agents. “That’s why we keep organizing.”
LaMonica Peters contributed reporting.