8 Metro Detroit Men Charged In Car Theft, International Smuggling Ring: Feds

METRO DETROIT — Eight men from metro Detroit were charged in connection with a car theft and international smuggling ring, according to federal officials.

All eight men (listed below) were charged with conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles, along with at least one count each of transporting a stolen vehicle:

• Haydar Al Haydari (41, Garden City)
• Karar Alnakash (43, Detroit)
• Abbas Al Othman (42, Dearborn Heights)
• Mohammed Al Hilo (36, Detroit)
• Moustapha Al Fetlawi (46, Dearborn Heights
• Terrill Davis (33, Detroit)
• David Roshinsky Williams (32, Harper Woods)
• Mohammed Al Abboodi (35, Detroit)

If convicted of the charge of transportation of stolen motor vehicles, they each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. They also face up to five years in prison and fine up to $250,000 if convicted on the conspiracy charge.

Beginning in July 2023, officials said the group worked with others to receive stolen vehicles at one of four commercial/industrial lots. The four lots were located in Detroit (Greenfield Road, Fullerton Avenue, Tireman Avenue and Nelson Street), officials said.

Officials said the group had "brokers" arrange the delivery of the stolen vehicles and even escort the car thieves to the lot.

"The smugglers coordinated the precise arrival of stolen cars with the presence of shipping containers in order to avoid stolen cars being exposed to public view for long periods of time," officials said in the indictment.

Officials said the group paid the brokers (or the thieves) directly for the stolen vehicles. They then packed two or more of those vehicles into shipping containers and worked with a freight forwarder to move them to port cities by freight or rail, officials said.

The group gave the forwarder false information, such as telling them the to-be-exported items were a "non-automotive product, auto parts, or cars other than the actual cars inside the container," officials said.

Once at the port cities, the containers were shipped overseas, unless they were intercepted by police, officials said.

"Stolen cars have no place in interstate commerce and foreign trade," said United States Attorney Gorgon. "I very much appreciate the diligent work of our many law-enforcement partners in recovering countless vehicles and putting an end to this criminal scheme. Our work to secure justice for the conspirators and their victims continues."

Officials said the charges stem from an investigation started by Dearborn Police, with ICE, Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the FBI.

"This case demonstrates the strength of partnerships between local and federal law enforcement," said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. "I want to thank our partners in the Southeast Michigan Auto Crimes Consortium (SMACC), whose collaboration was instrumental in this case. I also want to acknowledge the critical funding and support provided by Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), which makes this type of proactive investigation possible. Together, we are protecting victims, safeguarding our communities, and holding criminals accountable."