INDIANAPOLIS -- A Saudi Arabian national is facing criminal charges and possible deportation over allegations he held two customers at gunpoint during a dispute at a west side tire shop.
IMPD officers were called to Medo Tire Shop at 3546 W. 16th Street on Jan. 27 on a report of a disturbance involving a firearm.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, when officers arrived they saw a man, later identified as Achmed Alaklouk, pull a black pistol from his waistband and place it on the ground.
Police said they spoke with two customers, Sierra Morris and her father Byron Morris, who said they had returned to the shop after purchasing a tire there the day before because they’d discovered it had dry rot. According to the Morrises, Alaklouk began to argue with them because they believed they shouldn’t have to purchase a new tire.
During the argument, Alaklouk allegedly grabbed Byron by the neck and forced him to the ground. Alaklouk and one of his employees reportedly then pulled handguns from their clothing and pointed them at Byron. Sierra told police she feared for her father’s safety and fired a shot into the air with her own gun to get the men to stay away from her father.
At that point, according to charging documents, Alaklouk ran back into the shop and returned with an AR-15-style rifle, which he pointed at the Morrises. Alaklouk reportedly told them that, “If you leave I’ll [expletive] kill you.”
The Morisses told police Alaklouk then jumped into his truck and pulled it behind their vehicle, effectively blocking them in, before taking Byron’s car keys.
When police arrived, the rifle had been returned to the interior of the shop. Officers determined both handguns to be pellet guns that resembled real 9mm pistols. Police also learned Alaklouk owned an unregistered 9mm handgun that was located at his residence.
During the course of the investigation, police determined Alaklouk was in the United States on an expired visa.
Homeland Security investigators called in to assist with the case determined Alaklouk’s applications for a travel document, employment authorization and to register permanent residence in the U.S. had been denied in March 2017.
Police said Alaklouk’s immigration status means he is not allowed to possess a firearm in the United States.
As a result of the investigation, Marion County prosecutors filed charges of criminal confinement, intimidation, unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien and battery against Alaklouk on Jan. 31. Court records show the presiding judge set an $80,000 surety bond in the case.
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