At a Glance
- Two roofers jumped across rooftops to evade federal agents in Montebello
- Incident occurred around 11 a.m. Wednesday while crew took lunch break
- Agents inspected documents of remaining workers, then left
- Why it matters: Incident heightens fear among immigrant workers and neighbors
A routine lunch break turned into a dramatic rooftop chase Wednesday when federal agents arrived at a Montebello home, prompting two roofers to leap across neighboring roofs to escape.
Agents Arrive During Lunch Break
Video captured the moment two unmarked vehicles carrying federal agents pulled up to the residence where the roofing crew worked. Juan Armenta, one of the workers, described the sudden arrival.
“They arrived very quickly. When we saw them, they were too close, and their truck was blocking the way,” Armenta said. “They told us it was an inspection.”
The agents approached just after 11 a.m. as the crew rested during their midday break. Within seconds, two workers scrambled up the ladder onto the partially repaired roof.
Rooftop Escape Caught on Camera
Footage from across the street shows the first worker reach the roofline and immediately throw the ladder down to prevent agents from following. He then launched himself onto the adjacent house.
The second worker hesitated briefly but followed suit once an agent replaced the ladder and began climbing toward him. Both men disappeared over the peak of the neighboring home.
“Well, they jumped to the neighbor’s other house and then disappeared into the back, and I don’t know where they went,” Armenta said.
Neighbors React With Alarm
Arcelia Barrios, who lives directly across the street, watched the scene unfold from her front window.
“This young man ran up the stairs, and the immigrant was right behind him, and he told the agent to knock down the stairs,” Barrios recounted.
She expressed concern for the men’s safety, noting the steep pitch of the roofs and the height of the jump.
“I’m telling you, they’re causing deaths because the young man could fall, and that’s very bad,” Barrios said.
Document Checks for Remaining Crew
Once the two workers fled, agents focused on the remaining crew members. The video shows officers requesting identification and work permits from those who stayed behind.
After reviewing each person’s documents, the agents departed without making any arrests.
Fear Spreads Through Community
The incident left a lasting impact on both workers and residents. Felipe López, a construction worker who has lived in the area for years, said the fear is universal.
“We are all afraid, whether we have papers or not, there is always, always the fear that there is no security,” López said.
That anxiety extends beyond the immediate job site. López noted that his employer is already experiencing consequences from recent immigration operations, though he did not specify which impacts.
Official Response
News Of Losangeles‘s sister station Telemundo 52 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on Wednesday’s events. As of publication, no response has been received.
Montebello Mayor Georgina Tamayo’s office confirmed Thursday morning that immigration agents were active at multiple locations throughout the city on Wednesday. In a statement to Telemundo 52, the mayor’s office emphasized constitutional protections.
“All residents of Los Angeles County, including those in Montebello-regardless of their immigration status-have guaranteed constitutional rights,” the statement read in part. “For additional information and resources, I encourage residents to visit the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs at oia.Lacounty.Gov.”
Economic Implications
A November 2024 study by the University of California, Los Angeles, warned that increased immigration enforcement could harm California’s economy. The report highlights that Latinos comprise 16% of the state’s total workforce.
The research suggests widespread raids and workplace enforcement could disrupt key industries dependent on immigrant labor, potentially leading to project delays and increased costs for consumers.
Return to Worksite
Despite the previous day’s drama, Armenta and several coworkers returned to the Montebello home Thursday morning to finish the roofing project.
The crew worked quietly, keeping an eye on the street for any sign of returning agents. None of the men knew the current whereabouts of their two colleagues who had fled.
“We just want to do our jobs and go home to our families,” Armenta said, glancing toward the neighboring roof where the escape had taken place.
Key Takeaways
- Federal agents conducted what they called an “inspection” at a Montebello home, causing two roofers to flee across rooftops
- The incident, captured on video, lasted only minutes but has heightened tensions in the community
- Mayor’s office confirmed multiple immigration enforcement actions citywide Wednesday
- UCLA research indicates potential economic fallout from increased workplace raids
- Workers and neighbors express ongoing fear regardless of immigration status
