ICE raid scam in Durham leaves community on edge – ABC11 Raleigh-Durham

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — As busy shoppers grab their groceries at Compare Foods on Avondale Drive in Durham, some are a little on edge after a hoax sparked rumors of an ICE raid at the store that turned out to be untrue.

Surveillance photos show the truck and you can see what looks like the ICE logo on the side, and the store said someone was driving around in uniform. That was enough to create rumors of an immigration raid on the store, but it was all a joke

Now the photo is doing rounds on social media and creating fear in the society.

Rosie de Leon, who is from Mexico, has called Durham home for 8 years. She was shopping at the store and said she had a message for the driver.

“It’s sad that people are trying to take advantage of the situation and the fear in the community right now, and these antics only encourage people to create more panic in the community,” she told ABC11.

It all comes amid news from the Trump administration that previously safe zones like schools and churches will no longer be off limits to ICE.

This week, Durham Mayor Leo Williams made it clear to ABC11 that the city supports immigrants.

“Durham taxpayers are not paying the Durham Police Department to be an extension of ICE,” said Mayor Williams.

Back at Compare Foods, some we spoke to say they would stand up for their neighbors.

“Even just at my school, there hasn’t been ICE or deportation, there’s been a lot of talk about it, so to drive around like that and instill fear, especially when people are already terrified of it right now in Hispanic neighborhoods, is crazy to me ,” said Anya McNeil of Durham.

Meanwhile, Compare Foods said they have lodged a police report and are seeking legal action against the people responsible.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the store said:

“Most disturbingly, these actions were carried out with malicious intent aimed at spreading fear and misinformation at a time when our community is already in a fragile and sensitive climate.” Fear, especially in such uncertain times, can spread like wildfire.”

The store also said it is committed to creating a safe environment for its customers.

The Durham Police Department told ABC11 they are aware of the incident. The department said in an email:

“Compare Foods management reported this to Durham Police on Thursday, January 23, along with rumors posted online of potential ICE raids at their store. The truck involved is not an ICE vehicle. We do not have any additional information available at this time.”

It is generally considered a crime to impersonate officials, including ICE officials. It is unclear if charges will be filed in this case.