Ever see a video that feels like a scene straight out of a movie? That’s basically what happened in downtown Los Angeles back in August 2025. A tow truck driver hooks up a federal agent’s SUV—lights flashing and all—and just hauls it away while the agents are busy in a foot chase and a struggle. It sounded like an urban legend. But it was real. And the man behind the wheel of that Dodge tow truck was Bobby Nunez.
For a few days, the internet couldn't stop talking about it. Some people called him a folk hero; others thought he was a total loose cannon. The federal government definitely fell into the latter camp. They slapped him with a felony charge that could have landed him in prison for a decade.
But here is the kicker: he walked.
Bobby Nunez Tow Truck Driver: The Incident at Da Vinci Apartments
The whole mess started around 8 a.m. on August 15. Federal agents from ICE and the U.S. Marshals were at the Da Vinci Apartments near downtown LA. They were trying to arrest Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a Colombian national and TikToker. To keep her from driving off, they used two government SUVs to box her car in at the exit of the parking garage.
Chaos broke out. Mafla-Martinez wasn't going quietly, and the scene was getting loud.
Bobby Nunez, who was 33 at the time and lived at the complex, wasn't just a bystander. According to court docs, he actually got into a verbal spat with the agents. He allegedly tried to push a car door against an officer. When they told him to back off or get arrested, he reportedly swore at them. He told them something was "going to happen."
He wasn't lying.
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While the agents were distracted by another guy who jumped into the fray, Nunez backed his truck up, hooked the ICE SUV, and drove off. He didn't just move it; he was reportedly laughing and filming the agents on his phone while one of them tried to chase the truck on foot.
Inside that SUV? The keys were still in the ignition. More importantly, there was a federal firearm locked in a safe inside. That’s a big deal. The feds don't take kindly to people "stealing" their guns, even if they're locked in a car.
The Federal Case and the 10-Year Threat
A few days later, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) found the truck. It was parked in a residential spot at the same apartment complex. No plates. The VIN was covered up. It didn't take a genius to connect the dots, especially since the whole thing was all over TikTok.
The government charged Nunez with theft of government property.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli didn't mince words. He went on X (formerly Twitter) and basically said the "funny" stunt was going to lead to a 10-year prison sentence. The narrative from the prosecution was clear: Nunez interfered with a high-stakes law enforcement operation and endangered officers by taking their vehicle and their weapon.
Honestly, it looked bad for him. The evidence was literally caught on camera from multiple angles.
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Why the Jury Said "Not Guilty"
The trial happened in December 2025. It lasted four days. If you've ever followed a federal case, you know the government usually wins. They have a 90%+ conviction rate. But Nunez’s legal team had a specific angle.
They didn't deny he moved the car. They argued he didn't steal it.
To prove "theft of government property," the prosecution has to show intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. Nunez’s lawyers pointed out that the car was only moved about a block away. It was recovered within 13 minutes. It wasn't damaged. Nothing was missing.
Basically, they argued it was a temporary obstruction or a "spur-of-the-moment" reaction, not a heist.
The jury deliberated for only three hours. On December 19, 2025, they came back with a "not guilty" verdict. Bobby Nunez walked out of that courtroom a free man, much to the shock of the Department of Justice.
What This Means for the Towing Industry
This case is a weird one for the towing world. Normally, tow truck drivers are the ones called by the police to help. Seeing a driver use his equipment against law enforcement is unheard of.
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It highlights a few things:
- The power of social media: Social media got him caught, but it also framed the public narrative before he ever stepped into court.
- Legal nuances of "Theft": You can do something illegal (like obstructing an officer) without it being the specific felony the government wants to pin on you.
- The "Gray Area" of Towing: Towing is a heavily regulated industry. Using a commercial vehicle to interfere in a federal operation is a fast way to lose your license, regardless of whether a jury finds you guilty of a crime.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re ever in a situation where you see a police action, don't do what Bobby did. Seriously.
Even though he was acquitted, he spent months in the legal system facing a 10-year sentence. Most people don't have the luck or the legal team to beat a federal rap. If you feel like an arrest is unjust, the place to fight that is in the courts or through activism—not by hooking up an ICE cruiser to your winch.
If you’re a tow operator:
- Stick to the contract. Towing for private property or police calls is one thing. Intervening in an active arrest is a massive liability.
- Check your insurance. No policy covers "interfering with federal agents."
- Know your rights, but know the risks. The 4th Amendment is great, but federal obstruction charges are a nightmare.
Bobby Nunez became a symbol for a minute. Depending on who you ask, he was either a hero of the resistance or a reckless driver who got lucky. Either way, his case serves as a wild reminder of how a 13-minute "joke" can almost cost you a decade of your life.
If you are following the legal fallout or looking for the actual court transcripts, the case was handled in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. You can look up the filings under his name to see the specific arguments made regarding the "intent to steal" versus "temporary relocation."