A popular Los Angeles restaurant owner faces deportation to Guatemala after a former employee reported him to federal authorities for violating parole by possessing a firearm at his business establishment.

The Arrest Outside South LA Restaurant

Carlos Lool, owner and chef of La Granja Rotisserie and Fuego Rotisserie in South Los Angeles, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last weekend. Video footage captured the dramatic arrest as agents detained Lool while his business partner and girlfriend, Jenna Lawrence, screamed at officers. Lawrence told KABC that ICE agents followed them while they picked up supplies for a catering event before forcing Lool from their vehicle at gunpoint.

Parole Violation Triggers Federal Action

The investigation began when a former restaurant employee contacted authorities about a firearm kept inside the establishment. The weapon violated conditions of Lool’s parole stemming from previous criminal convictions. Lawrence defended the decision to keep the gun on premises, citing multiple robberies and break-ins at their South LA location. She described the neighborhood as dangerous, with frequent incidents of broken windows and trespassers jumping fences around their property.

Criminal History Complicates Immigration Status

Court records show Lool was convicted of third-degree assault in Connecticut in 1997, classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The following year, he faced conviction for second-degree felony assault. His criminal record also includes multiple driving under the influence charges and failure to appear violations. Reports remain unclear whether Lool entered the United States illegally from Guatemala or overstayed legal immigration documents.

Business Impact and Family Concerns

Lawrence expressed frustration about the arrest’s timing and execution, telling reporters the experience left her heartbroken. She emphasized that Lool has children living in the United States and operates two active restaurant businesses in the Los Angeles area. Lawrence noted that Lool was taken into custody without his personal belongings, including his wallet, cell phone, and computer. The decorated chef now awaits deportation proceedings while his restaurants face an uncertain future without their primary owner and culinary leader at the helm.