New Lenox Cops Crack Theft Ring & Confiscate Coke From Joliet Convenience Store: Police

A six-week undercover shoplifting investigation led the New Lenox cops to raid two Joliet convenience stores, arrest three men and seize 35 grams of cocaine, police said.

The New Lenox police teamed with the Will County Cooperative Policing Action Team as well as Walmart and J.C. Penney security to take down the alleged theft ring.

The operation was launched in an "ongoing effort to curtail thefts in New Lenox," police said, and "targeted businesses that trafficked in stolen property."

Walmart and J.C. Penney supplied more than $10,000 of merchandise and "specialized surveillance equipment which was essential to the success of this investigation," police said.

Armed with search warrants, the cops hit the two Joliet convenience stores—Sunshine Food Mart at 1922 E. Washington St. and South End Food Mart at 50 McDonough St.

Yet another search warrant was obtained and the police raided the Burbank home of one of the South End Food Mart employees, Mustafa Issa, 65, of 7812 S. Nagle Ave.

"The searches led to the recovery of stolen property, currency and approximately 35 grams of suspected cocaine from the South End Food Mart," police said.

Along with Issa, two other men—Mamdouh Masood, 36, of 407 B Meadow Ave. in Rockdale, and Ibrahim Adwan, 60, of 16946 88th Court in Orland Hills—were also arrested.

Issa was charged with possession of stolen property, money laundering and possession of a controlled substance. Masood and Adwan were only charged with possession of stolen property and money laundering.

All three men were booked into the Will County jail.

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