UPDATE: Per Police Chief, ICE Suspect Locked Self in Maple Grove Restaurant Bathroom
An immigration enforcement incident led to a suspect locking themselves in a Maple Grove restaurant bathroom, according to the city’s police chief.
The incident occurred at the Vietnamese restaurant Lotus Maple Grove on Feb. 4.
According to Eric Werner, Maple Grove Police Chief, officers were called to Lotus to assist agents with a vehicle tow at approximately 10:45 a.m.
“Officers learned ICE agents tried to stop a vehicle for a driver that had a warrant,” Werner said. “The driver drove onto the grassy area at Rice Lake Plaza, fled on foot, and locked himself in the Lotus bathroom. The suspect’s vehicle was on scene. Tire tracks in the snow led from the street, onto the grassy area, and to the location where the vehicle was parked up against a snowbank. Maple Grove officers cleared the scene. The vehicle was later towed from the location.”
Management at the restaurant acknowledged the incident occurred, telling CCX News they believed the person involved had legitimate immigration status.
CCX reached out to ICE for further details on the incident and had not received a response when this story was published.
Lotus remained open in the afternoon following the incident.
It’s the second restaurant in the CCX Media coverage area that’s been involved in immigration incidents this week.
Two individuals working at New Hope’s Arizona Taco Company were detained, and management believed they had proper immigration documents.
This story was updated at 5:45 on Feb. 4 to reflect information received from the police department.
