Police: Suspected Serial Cigarette Snatcher Behind Bars
WESTLAND (WWJ) - A 27-year-old Dearborn Heights man has been arrested and charged in the theft of numerous cigarettes.
According to Westland police, Akram Al-Karim stole two cartons of cigarettes from the hands of an employee at a gas station last Friday.
Police say Al-Karim reached over the counter and snatched the roughly $130 worth of smokes, at the Speedway on S. Wayne Road, after feigning an attempt to pay. The incident was caught on camera.
Al-Karim was identified as the suspect wanted in that case after being caught committing a similar robbery in Westland, according to investigators, who say he's also suspected of a similar incident in at least one other community as well.
Al-Karim was arraigned on charges stemming from Aug. 12 incident in 18th District Court in front of Judge McKnight on Tuesday. He faces one count of unarmed robbery.
Bond was set at $15,000 cash or surety. Al-Karim will be back in court for a probable cause hearing the morning of Thursday, Aug. 25.
Any further charges in connection with other cases are pending as an investigation continues.
