Man arrested in Mokena with Molotov cocktails, map including Orland Park mosque, now in ICE custody
MOKENA, Ill. (WLS) -- A suburban man is facing charges after being found with eight Molotov cocktails and a map of the area that included a local mosque.
Hamed Alsaidi of Oak Lawn was arrested in Mokena on Saturday, for walking in the street, near 191st Street and LaGrange Road, police said.
The ABC7 I-Team learned exclusively Wednesday that Alsaidi is now in ICE custody in Indiana after initially being released to home confinement as he was charged in Will County.
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According to federal databases, Alsaidi is originally from Jordan and is now being held by ICE in Indiana. Between his appearance in Will County Court and subsequent release to his home this week, he was detained by ICE and is facing the possibility of deportation.
Local investigators said they found eight Molotov cocktails in his bag Saturday with gauze stuffed in the top as a wick, and a hand-written map of the area including the Metra station and the words "you see the mosque," which appeared to be the Orland Park Prayer Center.
However, at the time of his arrest, Alsaidi was more than five miles away from the mosque.
Alsaidi was previously known to law enforcement. He was arrested by the Cook County Forest Preserve Police in October last year on charges of Domestic Battery, according to Cook County records. The charges were dropped later that month after the "complaining witness" did not appear in court.
But there are questions Wednesday over why Alsaidi was released to his home in the first place.
Will County prosecutors opposed his release, contending he had a high likelihood of fleeing to avoid prosecution with an active order of protection for Orland Park residents and he was known to be undocumented.
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Illinois law enforcement is barred from coordinating with federal authorities on immigration cases by law.
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Alsaidi appeared in court Sunday and was released on electronic monitoring, before later being taken into federal custody.
Alsaidi was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing identification, Will County officials said.
The suspect has an active order of protection against residents and addresses in Orland Park, police said.
Orland Park police say they're in close communication with Mokena police about possible threats to the mosque.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation.
The Orland Park Prayer Center did not immediately respond to ABC7's request for comment.
The I-Team has reached out to Mokena police, the U.S. Attorney's office and ICE, but have not yet heard back.
