Shaker Heights Man Thought To Be Leader Of Theft Ring

A Shaker Heights man is accused of heading a theft ring that stole about $59,000 by borrowing money against cars using false loan and title information.

Hakeem Sultaana, 41, and 18 others have been indicted on charges stemming from the investigation -- most of who will be arraigned this week in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.

According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, Sultaana would acquire vehicles and put them in the name of the other codefendants. Then, the codefendants would then obtain loans on the vehicles from the victims using false information regarding employment, wages and residency that was provided to them by Sultaana.

Sultaana and his codefendants victimized lenders including Cash Express, Loan Max and Integrity Funding, according to the indictedment filed against them.

After receiving checks from the lenders, the suspects would immediately cash the checks and split the proceeds.

Sultaana's codefendants include:

• Sarah McCowns
• Dashara Hughley
• Edwon Youngblood
• Angela Barfield
• Angel Strong
• Natasha Reyes
• Cassandra Jones
• Tiffany Burriss
• Hilary Wood
• Joe Robinson
• Lindsay Smith
• Avis Humphrey
• Michelle Ellsworth
• Stephanie Lenz
• Jasmin Hall
• Susan Palcisco
• Derrick Appling
• Richard Reginelli

The 19 defendants are charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt behavior, grand theft, tampering with evidence, securing writings by deception and forgery.

According to the indictment, Smith and Palcisco are notaries who knowingly notarized fraudulent titles for Sultaana.

Wood was arraigned on Feb. 25; Sultaana, on Feb. 26. Both of their bonds were set at $100,000.

The remaining codefendants will be arraigned Wednesday by Judge Peter Corrigan.