Share:
Font Size:

Two Defendants Charged in Organized Retail Fraud Scheme

Today Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Mounier Ahmed Hassan, 41 (DOB: 11/03/1976), of Dearborn Heights, and Bilal Mohamad Taleb, 37 (DOB: 09/10/1980), of Lasalle, Ontario, Canada, in connection with an organized retail crime operation.

Allegations

From October 2017 until April 2018, the Westland Police Department conducted an investigation of an organized retail fraud scheme conducted by Defendants Hassan and Taleb. While working at Bank Pawn Shop and Exchange, they would purchase high end merchandise that was stolen from big box stores around Metropolitan Detroit. Defendants Hassan and Taleb would sell the stolen goods through Bank Pawn Shop and Exchange, located in the 15500 block of Warren Road in Westland, as well as on eBay. Investigation by the Westland Police Department led to the arrest of the two defendants. More complete facts and evidence will be presented in court at the preliminary examination.

Charges Issued Against the Defendants*

Mounier Ahmed Hassan, 41 (DOB: 11/03/1976), of Dearborn Heights

Continuing Criminal Enterprise - 1 count
Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime - 1 count
Organized Retail Crime - 7 counts
Second Hand Dealer Violation - 7 counts
Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property - $200 - $1,000 - 1 count
Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property - $1,000 - $20,000 - 3 counts

Bilal Mohamad Taleb, 37 (DOB: 09/10/1980), of Lasalle, Ontario, Canada

Continuing Criminal Enterprise - 1 count
Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime - 1 count
Organized Retail Crime - 9 counts
Second Hand Dealer Violation - 9 counts
Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property - $200 - $1,000 - 1 count
Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property - $1,000 - $20,000 - 3 counts

The defendants were arraigned today on all counts in 18th District Court. Hassan received a $75,000/10% bond; Taleb received a $100,000/10% bond. They will have their probable cause conferences on May 3, 2018 before 18th District Court Judge Mark McConnell; their preliminary examinations on May 24, 2018 before 18th District Court Judge Sandra Cicirelli.

Statement of Prosecutor Kym Worthy

The impact of these cases illustrate why the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office is trying to form a Business Protection Unit. These crimes cause process of goods and services to rise, insurance rates increase and businesses are reluctant to be community partners. So-called victimless crimes are a fallacy.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

#####