A disturbing incident involving the alleged kidnapping of a Chinese man in Los Angeles, California https://thenerdstash.com/tag/california/ has sparked concern among many U.S. citizens. While it might be tempting to immediately attribute it to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity https://thenerdstash.com/ice-agents-traumatize-innocent-new-york-man-for-his-id-we-need-to-start-calling-them-the-traitors-they-are-nazis/, a key detail is raising alarms: the individuals involved wore masks but no uniforms or badges, prompting speculation about the legality of their actions.
The apparent abduction took place near the Los Angeles Parking Violations Bureau, close to the Redwood Bar & Grill on W 2nd St. According to reports, an East Asian man, likely in his 30s, was handcuffed and forcibly restrained by two masked women while he yelled for assistance. Shortly after, two masked men appeared and swiftly forced the man into a sedan. A video of the incident was shared on Reddit by user Jevus_himself:
> Man abducted in LA – possibly ICE but no uniform or badges visible
> https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/1ldxgj1/man_abducted_in_la_possibly_ice_but_no_uniform_or/
> byu/Jevus_himself https://www.reddit.com/user/Jevus_himself/
> inPublicFreakout https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/
Reports suggest the East Asian man was shouting phrases in Chinese, potentially Mandarin. One comment indicated he was saying “Jiu Ming! ICE! Save my life,” with the last part also translating to “help.” Unfortunately, bystanders were unable to understand him, although he clearly vocalized I-C-E. Furthermore, the absence of badges or uniforms made onlookers hesitant to intervene, unsure if they were witnessing a syndicate operation or the actions of bounty hunters. At this time, it remains unclear whether ICE was actually involved. It’s also uncertain what circumstances led the Chinese-speaking man to be in that area of Los Angeles.
PEOPLE HAVE CHIMED IN ON THE MATTER
The lack of uniforms, badges, and the failure to present any warrant or identification has led many to believe the incident was a straightforward kidnapping. Some have speculated that the masked individuals could be bounty hunters, potentially contracted by government agencies or private entities.
Notably, ICE has faced previous allegations of collaboration with private bounty hunters. In January, a purported whistleblower https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/alleged-bounty-hunters-claims-spark-controversy-at-sunnyside-press-conference/article_1aab904c-deb0-11ef-ae20-b748ada1c855.html claimed that ICE was using bounty hunters, offering rewards of $1,000 to $1,500 per detained or kidnapped individual, possibly to meet deportation quotas. While there’s no confirmed link to the recent incident, many online have drawn parallels.
> “I am convinced many of these abductions are being done by private bounty
> hunters. They hide their faces because they want to be able to keep bounty
> hunting once this is over,” claims Al_Tilly_the_Bum
> “I see no badges, no reason to assume this was legal,” according to
> Smokybare94
> “Very soon when they start taking kids, nobody is gonna be able to tell
> whether it’s ice or just a pedo kidnapping ring. Just f***ing great thanks to
> the orange faced dbag,” fears nish1021
