ICE agents seen chasing car on NW Side before crash: witness, video

CHICAGO (WLS) -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were seen chasing a car on Chicago's Northwest Side before a crash Tuesday, according to a witness and video of the scene.

Masked ICE and Department of Homeland Security agents were seen in the area of Grace Street and Olcott Avenue in the Dunning neighborhood. It's a quiet residential area.

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A witness said he saw unmarked cars chasing a red car before the car crashed into a tree.

"I saw them coming down Grace. I saw them chasing a red car that looked like it already had damage to the bumper, and then one of the black Ford Explorer unmarked cars hit the back of that red car," Edward said.

Video from a neighbor shows the red sedan coming down Grace, with three unmarked SUVS in quick pursuit. Just before they go out of view, the first SUV appears to bump the sedan as they're turning onto Olcott.

Neighbors said they heard the loud crash before a brief foot chase.

The witness said he saw an older man being detained.

"It looked like they had taken someone. I couldn't tell if they were from that car, but I assume. It looked like an older gentleman, darker complexion, shorter cut, gray hair. They had him in handcuffs. He didn't seem to be aggressive or resisting or anything like that," Edward said.

Another neighbor said he saw half a dozen unmarked cars.

"I'm seeing from the back of some of their plate carriers that say Customs Enforcement on it; so it's definitely ICE," Edward said.

The car involved was later towed.

Neighbors say some federal agents stayed on the scene for a short time, while others drove off.

Chicago police were also seen in the area after the crash.

A DHS spokesperson released a statement on Monday night, saying ICE "conducted a targeted enforcement operation" to arrest an undocumented immigrant from Poland. DHS said the man's criminal history includes arrests for "possession of dangerous drugs, obstruction of justice, domestic battery/bodily harm, transport of dangerous materials and convictions for retail theft, resisting peace officer, and domestic battery."

DHS said the man "attempted to evade arrest resulting in a collision with an ICE vehicle and eventually collided with a tree. He then fled on foot. ICE officers used the minimum amount of force to make the arrest."

Last week, a man was seen being detained on the Northwest Side, as well.