An illegal immigrant from Venezuela is accused of grabbing a Homeland Security agent’s firearm while trying to evade arrest at a Michigan Sam’s Club.
Arnoldo Jose Marquez-Pulido, who was released into the United States under the Biden administration, lost control of the gun as the agent tackled him to the ground, according to court documents.
Agents said they first encountered Marquez-Pulido outside the Utica store on March 4 and confirmed that he was in the country illegally.
The agents began to follow Marquez-Pulido’s vehicle before he turned into a parking lot. Agents then activated their emergency lights and sirens, but Marquez-Pulido allegedly drove off at a high speed and began weaving in and out of traffic.
The agents chose not to pursue a vehicle chase, but continued to monitor his movements, according to a criminal complaint. They eventually saw him again as he pulled into the Sam’s Club parking lot and followed close behind.
Marquez-Pulido then quickly “abandoned his vehicle in the travel lane, and attempted to flee on foot,” the court documents stated.
The agent identified himself to the fleeing illegal immigrant and commanded him “to stop,” according to the court documents. Marquez-Pulido tried to enter the store before the agent tackled him outside.
Marquez-Pulido allegedly then began to fight the agent, striking him on the left cheek with his elbow before reaching for his gun. The Venezuelan national was able to pull the firearm out of the holster, but eventually lost control of it as the agent flipped him over.
The agent “suffered a contusion to his elbow, abrasions on his knees and hands, and a contusion to his right cheek,” according to court documents. Another responding agent “suffered a contusion to his knee.”
The injured agents were treated for their injuries at a local hospital and have since been released.
Marquez-Pulido was released into the country after crossing the California border in April 2024, court documents stated. At the time, he applied for admission at the San Ysidro port of entry without any documents to legally enter the United States.
His deportation case has yet to conclude, according to court documents.
The Venezuelan national now faces charges of being an alien in possession of a firearm and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are facing an 8,000% increase in death threats and a 1,300% surge in assaults as the Trump administration carries out its mass deportation campaign, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
