Month: January 2026

By Liz Nagy

Click here for updates on this story

    ALHAMBRA, Calif. (KABC) — Hundreds of people packed the Alhambra City Council meeting Monday as residents demanded answers about a viral video that raised questions about possible cooperation between Alhambra police and U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Angie Vargas said last Monday she was following who she believed were federal immigration agents when an Alhambra police SUV abruptly cut her off.

In cellphone video recorded by Vargas, she can be heard asking police if they were cooperating with the federal agents.

After a brief exchange with Alhambra officers, masked federal agents approached Vargas and questioned her.

“What country are you a citizen of?” one agent is heard asking Vargas in the video.

Vargas responded she is a U.S. citizen.

As the video spread across social media, Alhambra police issued a statement addressing the encounter.

“… Our officers responded to a call for service regarding a vehicle being followed by another vehicle that was running red lights and making illegal U-turns… Officers parked their vehicle in between both parties to help with de-escalating the situation,” the statement released last week said.

“Officers assisted with keeping the peace and confirmed no immigration enforcement was taking place at the scene. Shortly after PD arrival, both parties went their separate ways.”

Vargas’ footage of the interaction sparked strong reactions online and set the stage for a fiery council meeting, with some residents accusing local police of aiding Border Patrol agents.

Protesters flooded the council chambers, hallway and lobby of Alhambra City Hall in support of Vargas and to criticize federal immigration enforcement activity in the city.

“I was appalled and disgusted to see the video of Angie Vargas being pulled over. Her constitutional rights being violated and then being lied to by several members of the Alhambra Police Department,” one speaker said during the public comment period.

Luis Carrillo, Vargas’ attorney, called for an internal affairs investigation.

Mayor Jeff Maloney attempted to calm the crowd, promising the incident is subject to review and noting that no arrests were made.

“Fortunately, after less than five minutes the situation ended and people went on their way,” Maloney said at the meeting.

The explanation did little to ease tensions.

At one point during the meeting, residents began to chant “shame.”

“This is enough. My people need to be heard,” Vargas said outside City Hall. “We need to be protected, and they need to protect our community members and not these federal agents.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Carley Gomez

Click here for updates on this story

    STUDIO CITY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A homeowner opened fire on burglary suspects Tuesday morning in Studio City, prompting the alleged intruders to flee, authorities said.

The confrontation occurred at 4:40 a.m. at a multi-level house in the 11600 block of Laurelcrest Drive, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said. The home is in a hilltop neighborhood between Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards.

Whether any of the alleged intruders were struck by gunfire was unclear. Described only as two males in gray hoodies, they fled the scene in a black Chevy Traverse SUV, according to the LAPD.

Officers responded to the scene and were investigating whether anything was stolen.

A homeowner opened fire on burglary suspects Tuesday morning in Studio City, prompting the alleged intruders to flee, authorities said.

The confrontation occurred at 4:40 a.m. at a multi-level house in the 11600 block of Laurelcrest Drive, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said. The home is in a hilltop neighborhood between Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards.

Whether any of the alleged intruders were struck by gunfire was unclear. Described only as two males in gray hoodies, they fled the scene in a black Chevy Traverse SUV, according to the LAPD.

Officers responded to the scene and were investigating whether anything was stolen.

Neighbors alarmed Diana, who lives across from the home, spoke with Eyewitness News and said she was awakened by the sound of a running car and alerted her husband, who went outside to investigate.

“He came back out, got very close to them, took a picture of their plate, the back end of the car, and still, that didn’t seem to change anything,” she said.

Moments later, Diana said she heard a gunshot followed by the sound of people running.

“[They] get into the car, car door slams, the alarm went off on the house at that point, and the car just sped off,” she said.

Diana said she called 911 and was able to identify the vehicle involved but could not describe the suspects. Some residents said the incident underscores growing concerns about neighborhood crime.

“This city has gotten so dangerous as you know, if you live here. Crime is out of control,” neighbor Dave White said.

Others said they were surprised by the boldness of the suspects, especially with people awake in nearby homes.

Neighbor Jaimie Joseph said that the situation highlights the need for more community involvement.

“It could happen wherever you move, so it really just makes me think of, like, you know, what’s happening? Maybe there needs to be more that we do like in the neighborhood watch,” she said.

Despite living in what she described as a peaceful area, Diana said the incident highlights a vulnerability.

“Quiet neighborhood, but sometimes that is not a good thing,” she said.

Meantime, police said the homeowner was not injured.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.