FBI Launches Investigation into Vandalism at Arizona ICE Facility

In the early hours of Saturday, a warehouse owned by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Surprise, Arizona, became a crime scene following an alleged act of vandalism. This incident has now sparked a federal investigation.

The FBI’s Phoenix division reported that the Surprise Police Department was alerted to the situation around 1:30 a.m. local time. Responding officers discovered damage to the property, which included a broken window and signs of what they described as “minor and limited fire activity.”

While the investigation is underway, authorities have yet to identify any suspects or make any arrests related to the incident, leaving many questions unanswered as of Saturday afternoon.

This development was first reported by Fox News Digital, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by federal facilities in maintaining security and preventing criminal activities.

The damaged warehouse, prominently displayed in reports via Google Maps, underscores the need for continued vigilance and robust security measures at ICE properties nationwide.

The incident came days after state and federal authorities launched an investigation into an attempted arson attack at a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office building in Meridian, Idaho.

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.