A recently released video shows the dramatic arrest of a Venezuelan man at a New Hampshire courthouse. The footage, from February 20th, captures the moment federal agents attempted to detain Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, 33, who was in the United States illegally. The quiet apprehension attempt in an elevator quickly escalated when Colmenarez fled, leading to a chase and a forceful takedown in the courthouse hallway.
The video, released by the Nashua Circuit Court, shows Colmenarez entering an elevator with federal agents and other individuals. After others exit, an agent attempts to detain Colmenarez, prompting him to run. Two agents pursue him, tackling him to the ground a short distance from the elevator. Unfortunately, an elderly man walking with a cane was inadvertently knocked down during the struggle. A court liaison officer, Jared Neff, intervened to assist the agents in subduing Colmenarez, who resisted arrest.
According to reports, Colmenarez was en route to a court arraignment on charges related to drunk driving, driving without a license, and failing to provide information after an accident. The incident report filed by Officer Neff describes a chaotic scene with shouts of “Stop!” and a loud bang as the individuals fell to the ground. The video shows the elderly man remaining on the ground for some time before receiving assistance. The extent of his injuries remains unclear.
The federal agents involved reportedly stated they were under orders to detain illegal immigrants and had intended to make the arrest discreetly within the elevator. However, the prosecutor handling Colmenarez’s case was not notified beforehand, and a bench warrant was subsequently issued due to his failure to appear for arraignment.
As of Monday, Colmenarez is being held at an ICE facility in Texas. This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement and the arrest of undocumented individuals in public spaces. The reversal of a 2011 policy by President Trump that restricted such arrests in sensitive locations now allows for arrests in or near courthouses, provided state and local laws permit it, adding another layer of complexity to this sensitive issue.
