A late-night call about a man blocking a Mokena roadway took a far more serious turn when officers allegedly found several gasoline-filled bottles with cloth wicks in his backpack. The suspect, an Oak Lawn man, is now facing weapons and obstruction charges while federal agents investigate why the improvised incendiary devices were in his possession.
Mokena police encountered 31-year-old Hamed Alsaidi just before 3 a.m. Saturday near 191st Street and LaGrange Road, according to CBS Chicago. Police said he was walking in the street, carrying a blue blanket and backpack, and gave officers a fake name when questioned. Officers took him into custody for blocking the road and obstructing police, then searched the backpack and found several bottles filled with gasoline and stuffed with rags.
The discovery prompted authorities to contact the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI. The ATF investigation remains ongoing, but authorities have not publicly described a motive or said that any of the devices were ignited.
What The Illinois Charges Mean
The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Alsaidi with unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing a peace officer. Illinois’ weapons statute specifically references containers holding explosive substances for purposes such as Molotov cocktails, while the state’s obstruction statute makes knowingly interfering with an officer’s authorized duties a Class A misdemeanor.
Alsaidi was ordered detained at the Will County Jail, CBS Chicago reported. The allegations have not been tested in court, and the continuing ATF investigation could bring additional information or charges as authorities examine the items recovered from the backpack.
