| |
According to Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police Department, Mahmoud Yassin of the 17400 block of Queen Ann Lane, Tinley Park, is facing misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property, reckless conduct, driving on a suspended license and a felony charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle in connection with the incident.
Police say two groups of men exchanged gunfire in the Uncle Sam’s parking lot in the early morning hours of April 22. Witnesses reported seeing someone in a white car firing at three men when they exited the restaurant.
Burbank police were able to identify the white car through the city’s video surveillance cameras and captured the vehicle’s license plate number from the red light cameras at 87th Street and Cicero Avenue. When police ran the registration, the white Kia Optima came back stolen from Tinley Park.
According to Dudlo, investigators traced the stolen vehicle back to Yassin, an acquaintance of the owner.
Bridgeview police recovered the stolen Optima on April 26. The car allegedly had a bullet hole in its rear bumper.
On May 5, Burbank officers located Yassin and brought him to the police station for questioning.
According to police records, Yassin told investigators he was the driver and sole occupant of vehicle at the time of the shooting. He allegedly told investigators although a shot came from the Optima, he did not fire a gun — while still insisting he was the only occupant in the vehicle.
An investigator who reviewed the surveillance video stated in a police report that at least two subjects were visible in the Optima.
“Yassin was certainly involved in our shooting,” Dudlo said. “He is a known gang member with gang ties. “
Dudlo said the investigation remains active and hopes more arrests will follow. “We are trying to I.D. the rest of the players.”
Yassin is being held at Cook County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. His next court date is May 17 in Bridgeview.
See: Groups Exchange Gunfire Outside Uncle Sam’s: Police