Witnesses describe ‘violent’ arrests by federal agents in Phoenixville, Pa.

PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) — Community members voiced anger and concern Tuesday after witnesses reported what they described as violent arrests by federal officers in downtown Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, earlier in the day.

Video shared with Action News purportedly shows agents with Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of ICE, making arrests Tuesday morning.

“We saw windows smashed, we saw people being dragged from their cars,” said Parker Studebaker of the Phoenixville Liberation Center.

Witnesses said federal agents surrounded a red SUV between 9 and 10 a.m. as it pulled into a parking lot on Taylor Alley. They said officers later returned to the same location and targeted a green SUV. The arrests occurred directly across from the police department, borough hall, and the courthouse.

“They ripped this other guy out of a car and handcuffed him. It was really aggressive and overly violent,” said Alicia West of Phoenixville.

Video from the scene shows clashes between agents and community members. It remains unclear who was taken into custody, why, or where the individuals were taken.

“It’s scary. It’s definitely something that you never want to see, your neighbors get abducted,” said Phoenixville resident Dalton Spitler.

“It’s infuriating. It’s really terrible to see that happen and not be able to do anything,” West said.

Action News reached out to the Department of Homeland Security seeking details about the arrests and any broader operations in Chester County, but has not received a response.

In a statement Tuesday, the Phoenixville mayor reaffirmed that borough police do not assist federal officers in immigration enforcement.

Studebaker, director ofthe Phoenixville Liberation Center, said he helps document incidents like this and supports families afterward.

“Every member of our community – regardless of status – is a member of our community, and at the liberation center, we’ve been able to bring together a lot of people to organize around this principal and protect our community,” he said.

Action News again contacted a DHS spokesperson on Tuesday and is still awaiting a response.

FULL STATEMENT: Clarification on the role of the Phoenixville Borough Police Department in immigration enforcement