Evanston Police Operation "Hard Swipe" Fugitive Arrested
Back in September of 2010, members of the Evanston Police Departments Neighborhood Enforcement Team (N.E.T.) were instrumental in spearheading and coordinating a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort, targeting gang members and street level open air drug markets.
As an outgrowth of this operation, it was determined that Isam Abdelquader Alamawi, the operator of Ramy’s Foods, located at 1723 Simpson, Evanston, Illinois, was selling narcotics and conducting fraudulent Illinois LINK Card transactions. Investigators developed intelligence indicating Alamawi would swipe Illinois LINK cards, and process the amount over the actual purchase price of the items presented for sale. The customer would then be offered and given an illegal return of cash back, and Alamawi would also deduct and retain an illegal cash processing fee, charging all of this to the customer’s state of Illinois LINK card. In conjunction with operation “Hard Swipe”, investigators also documented Isam Alamawi, conducting over-the-counter crack cocaine sales from within Ramy’s Foods.
In September of 2010, operation “Hard Swipe” culminated in a multi-jurisdictional warrant sweep, involving Evanston Police, Cook County Sheriff’s, Second District Gang Unit, Cook County State’s Attorney Investigators, Northbrook and Wilmette Police Departments, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Cook County State’s Attorney. During the execution of issued warrants, it was learned that Isam Alamawi had fled the country evading arrest.
In January of 2011, Evanston Police were notified that Alamawi had been detained, at a New York area airport, as he attempted to reenter the United States. Once notified, Evanston Police Detectives executed all outstanding warrants pertaining to Alamawi, taking him into custody in Queens County New York. Alamawi was transported back to the Evanston Police Department where he was processed on all charges relating to operation “Hard Swipe”.
Offender data:
ALAMAWI, Isam Abdelqader M/ - DOB – 8-21-86
4323 Richmond #2 Chicago, Illinois
Charges:
4 Felony Counts Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance
1 Felony Count Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1000 ft.
of a school
3 Felony Counts Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices
2 Felony Counts Public Aid Wire Fraud
Court Date:
1-11-11, 9:00 a.m., RM 105, District II Skokie Court