Umatilla Tribal Police Deny ICE Involvement in Travel Plaza Incident

Authorities say Friday's arrest of shoplifting suspects was unrelated to immigration enforcement.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of stolen jewelry, such as a necklace clasp or earring post, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent shoplifting incident at an Oregon travel plaza sparked unsubstantiated rumors of immigration enforcement, underscoring the need for clear communication from authorities.Kailua Today

The Umatilla Tribal Police (UTPD) have denied that an incident on Friday at the Arrowhead Travel Plaza was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, despite social media rumors claiming otherwise. UTPD says they responded to a report of a 16-year-old female shoplifting jewelry and a security officer being struck by the female's father, who was later arrested.

Why it matters

The incident sparked concerns among some community members that it may have been an ICE operation targeting a large travel group, but UTPD has clarified that they were the only law enforcement agency on the scene and that the arrests were related to shoplifting and harassment charges, not immigration enforcement.

The details

According to UTPD, around 12:30 p.m. on Friday they responded to a report of a 16-year-old female shoplifting jewelry from the Arrowhead Travel Plaza. When a Wildhorse Resort Casino security officer confronted the female, her father, identified as Nojerry Walter of Kailua, Hawaii, struck the officer on the hand. UTPD recovered the stolen jewelry, cited the female for theft, and arrested Walter for harassment and violating a restraining order. During the investigation, another woman, Mackaleigh Lagao of Pendleton, interfered with police and was also arrested for interfering with an officer. Lagao became combative while being transported to jail and had to be restrained.

  • The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • Walter has pleaded not guilty to the harassment charges as of Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Nojerry Walter

A man from Kailua, Hawaii who was arrested for harassment and violating a restraining order after striking a security officer who confronted his 16-year-old daughter for shoplifting.

Mackaleigh Lagao

A woman from Pendleton who was arrested for interfering with a police officer during the investigation at the Arrowhead Travel Plaza.

Umatilla Tribal Police (UTPD)

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident at the Arrowhead Travel Plaza and made the arrests.

Wildhorse Resort Casino Security

A security officer from the nearby Wildhorse Resort Casino who was struck by Nojerry Walter when he confronted the 16-year-old female shoplifting suspect.

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What they’re saying

“UTPD says at around 12:30 p.m. they responded to a report of a 16-year-old female shoplifting jewelry and a Wildhorse Resort Casino Security officer being struck by a male when he confronted the female.”

— Umatilla Tribal Police

“UTPD said many people identified the incident as an ICE incident because of the perception of the police response and the large travel group involved. They add that there's no validity to that rumor, and that they were the only law enforcement agency on scene.”

— Umatilla Tribal Police

What’s next

Walter has pleaded not guilty to the harassment charges, and as of Monday afternoon was still shown in the Umatilla County Jail roster with no bail listed. Lagao was not listed in the jail roster Monday afternoon.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of accurate information sharing and avoiding unfounded rumors, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like immigration enforcement. The Umatilla Tribal Police have clarified that this was a routine shoplifting and harassment case, not an ICE operation, underscoring the need for the public to rely on official sources when assessing the nature of law enforcement activities in their community.