3 Men Attacked, Robbed Another In Gym Locker Room: Orland PD

ORLAND PARK, IL — Two men have been charged, and an arrest warrant issued for a third, in connection with the battery and robbery of another man last month at an Orland Park gym.

Orland Park police were called for a report of a robbery Dec. 10 at Life Time Fitness, 163rd and LaGrange Road in Orland Park. Police there learned that three suspects had reportedly jumped another man in the gym locker room after a verbal confrontation.

The victim told police he had argued with acquaintances Sami Hirmiz, Hadi Abuatelah and Nooh Masoud, when they followed him into the locker room. There, they allegedly began "kicking and punching him in the face and body numerous times," Orland Park police said in a release.

While the victim was on the ground, one of the suspects took his cell phone from his pocket and the suspects fled the building, police said. The victim was taken to the hospital, where it was determined that he suffered a dislocated shoulder as a result of the assault.

Investigators learned that Hirmiz was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 4 regarding an unrelated matter. Oak Lawn Patch reports that Hirmiz, of Oak Lawn, has two pending cases out of Chicago Ridge. In May 2023, after Chicago Ridge police detained Hirmiz at a gas station after recognizing his red Infiniti Q50, who police say had previously fled traffic stops. As officers tried to detain Hirmiz, he jumped into his vehicle, hitting a Chicago Ridge police officer with an open car door. Hirmiz is then said to have led Illinois State Police on a 100-mph chase into Indiana, that included a police helicopter.

In November, Hirmiz was arrested on a DUI charge when Chicago Ridge police said his vehicle crashed into Hookah Hype.

Investigators went to Bridgeview Courthouse Jan. 4, where Hirmiz was found after his court appearance. Hirmiz tried to run, but was ultimately taken into custody.

Later that same day, Abuatelah was taken into custody at his home without incident.

Abuatelah made headlines in 2022 as a juvenile seen in a bystander's video capturing Oak Lawn police officers repeatedly punching a teen—later identified as Abuatelah—while he is restrained face down on the ground. A Cook County jury in February 2023 indicted one of the officers on counts of aggravated battery and official misconduct. Abuatelah, who police said fled a traffic stop and was found to be carrying a gun at the time, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest.

Hirmiz, 19, and Abuatelah, 18, were charged with robbery in the Dec. 10 incident; Hirmiz was also charged with two counts of resisting arrest.

Masoud could not be located and refused to turn himself in. On Jan. 16, 2024 an arrest warrant was issued for Masoud on charges of robbery, mob action and aggravated battery.