Carla Wyatt, the Democratic treasurer of Harris County, was arrested Saturday and charged with burglary of a vehicle, according to local media reports. Wyatt was released after posting bond.
ABC 13 Eyewitness News reported that the video shows Wyatt opening an unlocked minivan and entering it. Police said Wyatt claimed she had permission to be inside the vehicle, but the owners told officers they did not know her and had not given consent.
In a previous interview with KPRC 2, Wyatt said she hoped to serve as “a role model for those people who are coming behind me.” According to the Harris County Treasurer’s official website, she is the first African American elected to the position.
“We are aware that Carla Wyatt was arrested and charged with burglary of a motor vehicle,” the Harris County District Attorney’s office told ABC 13. “As this case is pending, our office will not comment further on the details of the investigation.”
Wyatt, who took office in January 2023, has previously faced legal issues. According to Houston Chronicle, she was arrested in 2023 on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
The Chronicle reported that Wyatt later violated the terms of her bond on at least two occasions, including failing to install a required ignition interlock device in January 2024 and being intoxicated in March 2024.
Despite the bond violations, the DWI charge was dismissed in August after Wyatt completed a pretrial diversion program, according to ABC 13 Eyewitness News.
An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, meanwhile, was confronted by an armed gunman at an apartment complex in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve and was fired upon three times, according to news reports. The agent was not injured. The gunman was later found dead at the scene.
According to KABC-TV, the incident unfolded around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday in the Northridge area of Los Angeles.
The agent, who was not identified and works in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Removal Operations, was inside his apartment when he heard what sounded like gunfire getting louder and closer.
The agent armed himself with his ICE-authorized firearm and went outside, the station reported, citing a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE.
Once outside, the agent encountered a man armed with what appeared to be a long rifle, according to the DHS statement.
When the agent identified himself as law enforcement, the gunman pointed his weapon at him.
The agent fired his weapon, and the gunman returned fire three times, according to the report.
The agent then returned to his apartment to retrieve body armor and contact police, KABC reported.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the gunman dead. Authorities have not determined whether the agent’s law enforcement status played any role in the incident.
ICE has been the target of violent attacks across the country since the federal crackdown on illegal immigration began during President Donald Trump’s second term.
An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, according to the Los Angeles Times.
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin praised the agent’s actions in a statement provided to the newspaper.
“On December 31st, an off-duty ICE officer bravely responded to an active shooter situation at his apartment complex,” McLaughlin said.
“In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter.”
“Fortunately, our brave officer was not injured while protecting his community.”
Two people were hospitalized in Maryland following an alleged shooting involving an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities said. Details about the identities, genders, and ages of the individuals who were shot were not immediately available, The Mirror US reported.