A Turkish nationwide accused of violently resisting arrest and making an attempt to grab an officer’s taser in a confrontation in Western New York has been taken into custody, in keeping with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a press release launched Tuesday, ICE stated the suspect, recognized as Saim Irgi, 39, allegedly fought with officers and shouted the Arabic phrase “Allahu akbar” – “God is nice” – throughout the wrestle earlier than being subdued and arrested.
Earlier than Irgi’s arrest, officers in Buffalo had been finishing up a focused operation in Tonawanda after they noticed a car leaving a house that was related to their investigation that day.
After following the automobile and initiating a cease, officers recognized the driving force as Saim Irgi, a Turkish citizen, who, officers say, is within the US illegally, the assertion stated.
Officers repeatedly ordered Irgi to exit the car, however he refused.
Based on the assertion, an ICE officer drew their taser and knowledgeable Irgi a number of instances that if he didn’t cease resisting, he’d be tasered.
Whereas making an attempt to put Irgi in custody, officers allege Irgi grabbed an officer’s taser whereas screaming “Allahu Akbar,” at which level one other officer deployed their taser to get management of the suspect.
He was later taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, the place medical employees cleared him for detention.
Authorities stated Irgi has a historical past of felony costs since illegally crossing the southern border in July 2023.
Based on ICE, US Border Patrol brokers first encountered Irgi close to Jamul, California, after he’d crossed the border from Mexico.
He was subsequently launched into the nation pending additional immigration proceedings.
In March, police in Pennsauken, New Jersey, arrested Irgi on costs of easy assault that had been later dismissed.
The identical day, Philadelphia police arrested him on costs together with strangling, easy assault, and recklessly endangering one other particular person.
ICE Buffalo appearing Area Workplace Director Tammy Marich described Irgi as “a vital public security risk,” and stated within the assertion that officers “will proceed to work tirelessly to arrest and take away felony unlawful aliens from the USA.”
After Monday’s arrest, Irgi stays in ICE custody as removing proceedings proceed.
