Posted on 05/05/2005 8:16:59 AM PDT by areafiftyone
NEW YORK (CBS) A routine traffic stop leads to the arrest of a terror watch list suspect in our area. What's more, CBS 2 has learned 39-year-old Sami Ibrahim Isa Ardel Hadi had a valid I.D. to work as a painter on the George Washington Bridge.
Hadi was arrested yesterday afternoon by Bergen County Police, say sources, on Route 46 by Ridgefield Park. He was stopped for tailgating.
When the officer called-in the North Carolina plates of Hadi's car, the Bergen County Police report indicates the officer was told Hadi was on several federal agency terror watch lists, and there was a stop and hold order on him.
The police report also says that Hadi had a valid temporary I.D. to work on the George Washington Bridge. He works for L & L Painting, the subcontractor painting the bridge.
The FBI was called and took Hadi and a second person in the car into custody, though the second person was not on the terror watch list.
L and L Painting is based in Hicksville, says it could not comment because it works for the Port Authority, and the Port Authority says it's been told Hadi is not on a terror watch list.
But the PBA union for Port Authority Police confirmed that a painter on the GWB has indeed been arrested and was on the terror watch list.
The PBA said Hadi was on the list because his visa had expired and authorities could not locate him.
PBA officials added, "What scares us is that workers on the Port Authority's bridges and tunnels have no security background checks.
They say they've complained about this since 9/11.
I wonder who works on the Mackinaw bridge here in Michigan. There's a lot of freight across that bridge. Serious damage could put it out of commission for a long time.
Stopped for tailgating?
Methinks not, he was likely being followed and the tailgating was the only thing to legally stop him for.
Nice work, way to go.
PBA officials added,
"What scares us is that workers on the Port Authority's bridges and tunnels have no security background checks."
Lovely.
There is still a cell in Oklahoma City. You know, the place where Iraqis blew up a building but the FBI didn't want to hear about it. Bill Clinton needed to blame the dreaded right wing.
ping
Agreed! Can't wait to get outta here!!!!!
This is insane! I can't believe after what happened in NYC and Washington they can just let things like this slide. You should have seen it this morning on 3rd Avenue where the British Consulate is. It was locked down from 46th street to the Consulate that is almost 10 blocks for hours. A total mess.
"he was likely being followed and the tailgating was the only thing to legally stop him for. "
You are probably right.
Good, that they caught him.
I also think we have been and are continuing to catch them, most just don't make the papers, for good reason.
Wow...
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
According to an update on the Brittish consulate story, investigators are questioning a foreign national
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
I pass by that consulate after I walk over the 59th Street Bridge every day. Today I had to bypass and walk on 2nd Avenue instead of 3rd!
ping!
>>> He works for L & L Painting, the subcontractor painting the bridge.
And the illegal Guatemalan immigrant, Carlos Castillo, that murdered Mary Nagle, worked with Coloron Painting in New Jersey.
ping!
NC Ping worthy.
I wonder if this guy was a Citizen or a Visa holder.
Good catch. I'm on it.
"What scares us is that workers on the Port Authority's bridges and tunnels have no security background checks.
They say they've complained about this since 9/11."
Well, they best wake up.
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