Agents evidently with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a man around 11 a.m. at SouthCoast Marketplace on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

 

The man’s name and the charges he is facing are not yet known; ICE has not yet responded to a request for information.

 

According to witnesses, the arrest occurred outside the Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop at SouthCoast Marketplace on William S. Canning Boulevard. Around 11:20 a.m., an SUV parked outside the shop was seen boxed in by unmarked vehicles outfitted with red and blue flashing lights.

 

Agents wearing hooded sweatshirts, face masks and tactical vests marked “POLICE” milled around the area.

 

Witnesses said the man arrested attempted to flee toward the Aldi grocery store across Canning Boulevard but was subdued with a Taser and taken into custody.

 

The arrest comes as ICE has stepped up federal detention operations on the SouthCoast in recent days.

 

This week alone, nearly two dozen people were detained in New Bedford, including Oscar Abel Gutierrez, 37, of Fall River. Any criminal charges filed against Gutierrez were not immediately available.