A coworker said she just heard the FBI and Homeland Security were raiding the local IHOPS. Anybody heard anything?
Raid At The IHOP?
Comments ... #
I had a breaking news text from WTOL.
Apparently 3 local IHOPs were raided at 6 am and sealed off. The details available right now are pretty limited, but it sounds like it could be something big.
The WTOL website reported that the location by Westfield was one of the 3, I don't know which other locations were involved.
The one on Airport was raided too. They are investigating Terrorist implications and money laundering. Also the P-burg location was raided.
posted by lfrost2125 on Sep 20, 2011 at 10:12:31 am #
For those who've provided funds for terrorism...they should be put to death. Soon, too. No years and years of appeals. Those guilty should be put to death within one year.
posted by OmarLittle on Sep 20, 2011 at 10:24:20 am # 3 people liked this
Saw TONS of police and men in black shirts/pants at the Talmadge Rd this am when I drove by - looked like a parking lot party b/c there were SO many people in the parking lot! There had to be at least 30 people and 13 abc was there.
My wife just applied to the one in Perrysburg and has an interview but they never called back. Guess its a good thing they didn't.
posted by lfrost2125 on Sep 20, 2011 at 10:40:44 am #
...I feel like I should grab the camera and head over to the one right by me...
posted by OhioKimono on Sep 20, 2011 at 10:55:51 am #
Who owns them?
posted by toledoramblingman on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:08:25 am #
Obviously, it's a humorous thread at Fark.com: If you've eaten at an IHOP in the Toledo, OH area, congratulations - You've supported terrorism
Twitter search results show the FBI also raided an IHOP in Evansville, IN.
Local stories:
I was thinking the same thing, if its all of the Ihops you would think the owner is the connection. Wonder what said owner is doing with all the profits from ihop!...sounds the start of a really bad movie.
posted by glasscityguy on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:17:25 am #
"I terrorize my toilet every time I.eat at IHOP so this isn't very surprising." - Fark
posted by OhioKimono on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:26:49 am #
11:39 a.m. WTOL update :
Five IHOP locations were raided in the Toledo area Tuesday morning by the FBI and Homeland Security.
Other locations under investigation include one location in Lima, one in Findlay and one in Evansville, Indiana.
Authorities were investigating money laundering, funding terrorist organizations and possible undocumented workers.
The franchise locations are all owned by the same private company, an IHOP spokesperson confirms.
Evansville Courier & Press story
Patrick Lenow, director of corporate communications for DineEquity, parent company of IHOP and Applebee’s, said the company and franchise owner Terry Elks are cooperating.
"We have been told by authorities it does not involve terrorism," he said.
Lenow said some of the affected restaurants have already been cleared to re-open.
The initial Blade story was titled Suspected terrorist activity leads to raids at several IHOP restaurants
The 11:58 a.m. WTOL update still mentions "funding terrorist organizations."
The latest Blade story, however, is titled Agents raid 7 IHOP restaurants, 6 in Ohio and nothing about terrorism is mentioned.
Special Agent Scott Wilson declined to give details about the searches.
"These search warrants are sealed so therefore, we are not allowed to provide any information as to what the search is for," Mr. Wilson said.
He said agents from the IRS, the FBI, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security) were involved with the searches. Mr. Wilson also said that he did not believe that anyone had been detained in the raids.
I always knew the "Rooty Tooty Fresh 'n' Fruity" was a terrorist plot. Now it's confirmed.
...and possible undocumented workers.
No...really? At a restaurant? Wow, wouldn't have suspected that. I mean...totally under the radar.
Next thing you tell me will be that similar types of workers also work cash construction jobs and in the fields during harvest season.
BTW--they're not undocumented...they're illegal. Oops, did I say/boldface a "bad" word...
posted by oldhometown on Sep 20, 2011 at 12:11:08 pm # 2 people liked this
I like the picture accompanying the article:
"What do you mean I can't get my pancakes?!" and the smiling cop looking like he just polished off a huge stack ("Don't want them to go to waste!")
posted by Ace_Face on Sep 20, 2011 at 03:19:20 pm # 1 person liked this
Keep it classy Toledo...
posted by OhioKimono on Sep 20, 2011 at 03:30:34 pm #
They gave her a gift certificate/voucher...but it is only good at the Afghanistan and Pakistan locations.
posted by Molsonator on Sep 20, 2011 at 03:36:04 pm # 3 people liked this
Do not get between that woman and her Cinnastack!
posted by mom2 on Sep 20, 2011 at 03:38:05 pm # 1 person liked this
Man, if they close the one across fm the mall, where will the junkies go for the drugs?? that place has been somewhere to stay away from at night for a long time...
Whats strange they gave his name as Terry elk but his real name is Tarek Elkafrawi
4:26 p.m. WTOL update :
Several IHOP locations are re-opening after seven IHOP locations in Ohio and Indiana were raided early Tuesday morning by the FBI, Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and local police.
Officials with Homeland Security tell us the investigation is currently sealed and cannot release any additional information.
A well-placed source with Toledo Police Department tells WTOL 11 the investigation surrounds allegations of money laundering and possibly undocumented workers.
This source also told us there may be allegations of terrorism, but a spokesperson with IHOP's corporate office says they have been told there are no terrorism links.
All seven of the restaurants are owned by Terry Elk. Elk is from our area and WFIE, our sister station in Evansville, Indiana, confirmed Terry Elk's real name is Tarek Elkafrawi.
The FBI told WTOL they raided two homes and two storage units have also been searched. A source tells us the storage units were rented by Maazen Kadir.
According to the Better Business Bureau website, Kadir is the primary contact for the Talmadge Road location and is listed as the area manager.
... and, again, IHOP is saying they have been told this investigation is not related to terrorism.
This is the same as the pizza joints selling dope years ago, only different.
I hope nothing happened that required that "fit" cop to get to his extra clips on the front of his belt. He'd have better luck finding his "wang", which he probably hasn't seen since he joined the force.
still trying to be funny i see. lol. that "unfit" cop does more for society than you ever will. just sayin'.
posted by Ryan on Sep 20, 2011 at 09:12:57 pm # 1 person liked this
Anyone spending cash eating at those shitty pancake houses deserve to have their money funneled to terrorists. Make your own pancakes dammit! or EAT LOCAL.
posted by toledolen_ on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:45:41 pm # 2 people liked this
Calm down toledolen, there just pancakes. No need to bring your self righteous, judgmental attitude into this.
posted by hunkytownsausage on Sep 21, 2011 at 08:15:09 am # 4 people liked this
Stupid grammar, "they're"
posted by hunkytownsausage on Sep 21, 2011 at 08:16:07 am #
"still trying to be funny i see. lol. that "unfit" cop does more for society than you ever will. just sayin'.
! posted by Ryan on Sep 20, 2011 at 09:12:57 pm # + 1 person liked this ' '"
Who are you, to determine who does what for society?
hunkytownsausage, if you wanna continue to be this lady... by all means knock yourself out.
Not judging! Just saying :)
posted by toledolen_ on Sep 21, 2011 at 07:06:24 pm #
Never said I eat at IHOP. In fact I've only ate there once in a drunken state, which the pancakes tasted great from what I remember. That said, I don't think missing a few pancakes is gonna hurt that lady.
posted by hunkytownsausage on Sep 22, 2011 at 09:31:57 am #
Everyone can calm down. Pancakes are available once again:
Toledo Blade: IHOP Back to Serving Pancakes After raids
posted by oldhometown on Sep 22, 2011 at 09:46:32 am #
http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2012/05/23/IHOP-indictments-to-be-announced-today.html
Holy crap, IHOP!
Arrests and charges include:
- Mr. Elkafrawi, money laundering, alien harboring, four counts of mail fraud, three counts of health care fraud, two counts of use of fire or explosive to commit a felony, two counts of arson, two counts aggravated identity theft, and two counts of identity theft;
- Tarek Eid Omar, money laundering, alien harboring, two counts mail fraud, two counts identity fraud, and health care fraud;
- Autumn Lee Tangas, money laundering, alien harboring, mail fraud, false statements, and misprision of a felony;
- Kelly Elkafrawi, money laundering and alien harboring;
- Jose Leon-Gonzalez, alien harboring, two counts of use of fire or explosive to commit a felony; two counts arson;
- Carlos Gamboa, alien harboring, two counts identity theft;
- Khaled Yousef, alien harboring, two counts aggravated identity theft, two counts identity theft, false statements, health care fraud;
- Jamil Mohammed Awwad, alien harboring, two counts aggravated identity theft, two counts identity theft, false statements, health care fraud;
- Ramiz Awwad, alien harboring, two counts aggravated identity theft, two counts identity theft, false statements, health care fraud;
- Khalil Aboudakka, alien harboring, two counts identity theft, false statements;
- Mahmoud Ali, alien harboring, two counts identity theft, false statements;
- Mohamed Hassan, alien harboring, two counts identity theft, false statements;
- Donna J. Harriott, alien harboring, two counts identity theft, false statements;
- Lucky Williams, alien harboring, two counts identity theft;
- Sara Rinebolt, two counts identity theft, false statements;
- Cesar Avila, alien harboring, two counts identity theft;
- Mark Anthony Turner, two counts identity theft, false statements;
- Yoni Merida, two counts identity theft.
posted by toledolen_ on May 23, 2012 at 11:23:43 am # 1 person liked this
Whowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
posted by OhioKimono on May 23, 2012 at 11:40:14 am #
Did you notice the genius commentors complaining about the "lack of detail" in the Blade's breaking news story?
Of course, if the commentors had paid attention to the details that were actually in the story, they might have noticed this info:
Today, at a 1:30 p.m. news conference, law enforcement agencies from the federal, state, and local levels will announce the details of the indictments that have been filed in U.S. District Court.
How exactly are reporters supposed to have a fully detailed story written and published when the news conference hasn't even taken place yet?
Idiots.
posted by mom2 on May 23, 2012 at 11:41:34 am # 4 people liked this
Will they serve pancakes at the presser?
posted by oldhometown on May 23, 2012 at 12:46:39 pm # 1 person liked this
Sounds like these people's hopes of continuing to commit crimes got "pancaked".
posted by hockeyfan on May 23, 2012 at 12:47:02 pm # 2 people liked this
Just putting the I in International.
posted by Molsonator on May 23, 2012 at 01:18:49 pm # 1 person liked this
More jobs for Toledo's unemployed. This is one of the reasons we are in this mess, it isn't that there are not jobs, it is that the jobs are going to people not authorized to work in the US, oops, I should also say not even authorized to be the the US, let alone work here. Both parties are to blame, the Democrats see a vote and the Republicans see cheap labor for business and the citizens of the US are picking up the bill for all the education, social services, health care, and other expenses being here unauthorized brings.
Agree... my question is how common is this? This was large enough to attract the attention of the FBI but this is Toledo? I never really thought Toledo was the size town where you bring in illegals to fill vacant, low skill job positions. There must be a great deal more money involved then just the business saving money on labor cost. Why take that much risk and effort? Seems it would be cheaper and less time consuming to hire local unemployed or even College students looking for work, whomever....
posted by Danneskjold on May 25, 2012 at 10:20:28 am #
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