LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) — Some Lawrence businesses were suffering Friday after this week’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids around central Indiana.

Some of the businesses were not even directly involved in the recent immigration sweeps.

Lawrence Police Department (LPD) said it helped ICE agents arrest a person with felony warrants Wednesday at 54 Beauty Lounge, a hair salon and barbershop on Pendleton Pike, after the man barricaded himself inside.

The suspect had felony narcotics warrants from Texas. In a statement on Facebook, Lawrence police said they only became involved because the situation became a public safety issue.

The statement said in part: “Yesterday’s incident should not be confused with LPD participating in an ICE immigration enforcement operation. This was not a Lawrence Police Department operation, and LPD was not involved in planning or initiating the enforcement action.”

While trying to arrest the man, Lawrence police broke through the front door of what i. Glass from the shattered door remained on the sidewalk near the storefront Friday afternoon.

Circle City Broadcasting reached out to 54 Beauty Lounge several times Friday but did not receive a response. Store president Emely Hernandez issued a statement on Facebook, calling the situation tragic.

“At no time were our employees, customers or individuals in the surrounding area in danger. Each of the individuals who were arrested are honorable men, fathers and members of our community, with impeccable reputations.”

Nearly 70% of the 13 businesses in the surrounding plaza were closed Friday. This included a Haitian market and Honduran restaurant El Sabor Catracho. The restaurant had a sign in the window that translates to: “Closed until further notice.”

Johnny McCorvey, co-owner of Korean Bonda Restaurant in the same plaza, said foot traffic and overall business dropped dramatically after the raid Wednesday.

“Since they’ve left, the parking lot has been fairly empty. Business has gone from slow to nothing,” McCorvey said.

McCorvey asked that passersby not assume his business is closed just because others in the plaza are.

“I would hope they don’t let it influence them continually, but I understand some people are gonna be afraid to show up around here if they are illegals,” McCorvey said.

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