An early morning incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Surprise, Arizona, has drawn the attention of federal investigators following alleged criminal activity that caused damage to the site.
According to a statement from FBI Phoenix, local police were alerted to the situation around 1:30 a.m. A report indicated that the building, under ICE ownership, had been vandalized, as confirmed by a report obtained by Fox News Digital.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered a shattered window and signs indicating “minor and limited fire activity” at the warehouse.
As of Saturday afternoon, officials have not disclosed any details regarding potential suspects or made any arrests.
Reports indicate that an Arizona warehouse owned by ICE sustained damage over the weekend. (Google Maps)
This event follows closely on the heels of another investigation by state and federal officials into an attempted arson at a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office in Meridian, Idaho, earlier this week.
The suspect allegedly stole an ambulance from a bay at St. Luke’s West hospital on Wednesday, drove the ambulance through the parking lot, and retrieved gas cans that were staged in nearby vegetation, according to Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea.
The suspect, who has not been identified, then drove the ambulance directly into the North Portico building, which houses DHS offices, Basterrechea said.
ATF agents are assisting with the investigation. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Investigators believe the suspect poured an accelerant inside and around the outside of the ambulance.
However, the suspect was unable to ignite the accelerant before being scared off by responding agencies, according to Basterrechea.
Officials said the location was known to the community.
“There has been a lot of rhetoric surrounding the Department of Homeland Security leasing office space at this location,” Basterrechea said. “Comments on social media, such as ‘property damage isn’t violence,’ is absolutely false. This was absolutely an act of violence, and if the suspect had not been interrupted, there is no doubt this building would have been burned, putting the lives of first responders and others at risk.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem speaks from a podium as assembled DHS staff watch. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
The Meridian Police Department is leading the investigation into Wednesday’s attack in Idaho in coordination with the FBI, ATF, DHS, Idaho State Police and other regional law enforcement partners.
The FBI is investigating Saturday’s incident in Arizona with assistance from the ATF.
The DHS, ICE and ATF did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.
