Santa Ana Police Arrest Two ICE Watchers on Suspicion of Stalking Off-Duty Federal Agents; Chief Says SAPD Wasn't Aiding Immigration Enforcement
Santa Ana police arrested Madison Crabill, 25, and Adilene Tonoco, 33, outside the police station on Oct. 14 on suspicion of stalking off-duty federal agents they had followed from an operation in La Habra, police say; the advocates say they kept their distance. Both were still in custody as of Oct. 16 with no charges reported, and Tonoco's attorney disputes the arrest. Chief Robert Rodriguez says SAPD was not assisting immigration enforcement.
Arrestees Madison Crabill (25) and Adilene Tonoco (33); SAPD Chief Robert Rodriguez; advocate Melissa Rios of LUCHA; Councilmember Jessie Lopez; OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento; attorney Sean Garcia-Leys.
Two women arrested on suspicion of felony stalking, criminal conspiracy, and resisting an officer after allegedly following off-duty ICE agents from La Habra to the Santa Ana police station.
Incident originated during an ICE operation in La Habra; arrests made outside the Santa Ana Police Department headquarters.
Arrests made Oct. 14, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m. PT; press conference Oct. 15; chief's statement Oct. 16. No charges had been reported as of Oct. 16.
Police allege the women stalked off-duty federal agents; advocates say the women were lawfully observing immigration enforcement and the arrests were politically motivated.
Madison Crabill (25) and Adilene Tonoco (33), both of Santa Ana, remain arrested on suspicion of stalking, criminal conspiracy, and resisting or obstructing an officer. According to SAPD spokeswoman Natalie Garcia, no charges had been filed as of Oct. 16. The district attorney's office has not issued a charging decision.
Santa Ana Police Department says two off-duty federal agents requested assistance after being followed from an immigration enforcement operation in La Habra to the federal building in Santa Ana. Officers allege the two women blocked the agents' vehicle in an alley, ran two red lights, parked behind them at the police station, and yelled obscenities through a megaphone. SAPD says officers determined probable cause existed for felony stalking under California Penal Code § 646.9, and that a magistrate reviewed the probable-cause declaration.
Advocate Melissa Rios of LUCHA disputes this account, saying the women followed at a distance and did not block the agents' car. Rios characterized the arrests as targeted. Attorney Sean Garcia-Leys, who represents Tonoco, also disputes the arrest, according to the Los Angeles Times.
On Oct. 16, Chief Robert Rodriguez issued a public statement: the department "was not assisting with immigration enforcement, nor were our officers participating in any federal immigration operation." Rodriguez added that rights to protest, record police, and document immigration operations do not extend to stalking, threats, or obstruction.
On Oct. 15, Crabill's father, Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, and Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento held a press conference outside the Santa Ana jail. NBC Los Angeles reported that three of the city's six council members attended. Santa Ana is Orange County's only sanctuary city.
This case is separate from the Oct. 8 detention of ICE watcher Jackie Cordova by federal agents — a distinct incident that preceded these arrests. No new evidence has emerged since the Oct. 16 chief's statement to alter the established record on either side.
- Oct 14, 13:30(5 days ago)
Santa Ana police arrest Madison Crabill and Adilene Tonoco outside the police station after off-duty federal agents report being followed.
- Oct 15(4 days ago)
Press conference outside the Santa Ana jail with Crabill's father, Councilmember Jessie Lopez and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento.
- Oct 16(3 days ago)
Chief Robert Rodriguez says SAPD was not assisting immigration enforcement and that officers found probable cause for felony stalking.
- NEW3 days ago
The Santa Ana Police Department recognizes the public interest surrounding the recent arrests of two individuals following an incident involving off-duty Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. Given the concerns and misinformation surrounding this incident, it is important to clarify the cir
- NEW4 days ago
A Santa Ana Police car drives by as community organizers gather outside the federal building in Santa Ana to protest the treatment of Jackie Cordova, an ICE observer who said federal agents tackled her while she was monitoring immigration enforcement activity on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Credit: JULIE