Jordanian National Arrested With Alleged Molotov Cocktails as FBI, ATF Join Investigation

Original article here

A 31-year-old illegal alien who prosecutors said had previously been deemed inadmissible to the United States was arrested after Illinois police said officers discovered eight suspected Molotov cocktails inside his backpack during an overnight encounter.

Authorities identified the man as Hamed M. Alsaidi.

According to the Mokena Police Department, officers encountered Alsaidi at approximately 2:52 a.m. on Saturday, near 191st Street and LaGrange Road after he was allegedly walking in the roadway in Mokena, Illinois, a village in Will County southwest of Chicago..

Police said Alsaidi provided officers with a false name during the encounter.

According to prosecutors, the incident began when officers saw Alsaidi at a Speedway gas station while the business was closed.

Prosecutors said Alsaidi was later seen walking in traffic lanes, where officers detained him and learned his identity, Shaw Local reported.

Police said Alsaidi was carrying a backpack and a blue blanket when officers took him into custody.

During a search of the backpack, authorities said they found bottles containing gasoline with rags inserted as wicks.

Prosecutors said the backpack contained eight suspected Molotov cocktails, including six 12-ounce bottles and two liter-sized bottles.

The discovery prompted assistance from multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the FBI.

The Mokena Police Department said the ATF will continue handling the federal portion of the investigation.

Alsaidi was charged with felony unlawful possession of a weapon and misdemeanor obstructing identification.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office was consulted during the investigation, and Alsaidi was booked into the Will County Jail following his arrest, according to the Country Herald.

During a court hearing Sunday, Will County Judge Theodore Jarz granted Alsaidi pretrial release under the SAFE-T Act after determining conditions could mitigate potential risks.

Jarz ordered Alsaidi to remain confined to a residence in Oak Forest while wearing GPS electronic monitoring.

A federal court filing obtained by Resist the Mainstream identified Alsaidi as a Jordanian national and stated that he entered the United States without inspection before being apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents during the Biden administration.

Prosecutors in the Mokena case said Alsaidi had previously been determined to be an inadmissible alien in 2024 and 2025, and they cited his immigration history as part of their argument regarding detention and flight risk.

Prosecutors said Alsaidi had a written map of the area among his belongings that included references to a Metra train station and the phrase “You see the mosque,” which they said appeared to refer to the Prayer Center of Orland Park.

Prosecutors also said Alsaidi had an active order of protection listing residents and addresses in Orland Park.

Prosecutors argued that Alsaidi’s prior immigration determinations and lack of lawful admission to the United States were relevant to whether he should remain detained while the case proceeds.

They said he had twice been determined to be an inadmissible alien, once in 2024 and again in 2025, and cited his immigration history as part of their argument that he posed a flight risk.

Authorities said they have not confirmed where Alsaidi was headed or what his intent may have been.

Police have not released additional information regarding a possible motive or whether there is any continuing threat to the public.

The Mokena Police Department emphasized that the allegations against Alsaidi are accusations and that he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from federal and state agencies.