CLEVELAND — Investigators with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Vehicle Theft Unit, the Office of Criminal Investigations, the FBI and investigators with the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the BMV executed a search warrant at a business in Cleveland at about 10 a.m. Wednesday, troopers told News 5.
News 5 crews observed uniformed and undercover agents from these agencies outside a locksmith shop located near the intersection of West 105th Street and Lorain Avenue in Cleveland's Cuddell Neighborhood Wednesday morning.
"This was 100% with our vehicle theft unit being involved and partnerships and collaborative agencies that were involved, does involve vehicle thefts, property crimes and it's something we're obviously looking into with all of our partner agencies to make sure that folks' property is collected for them," said Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ray Santiago.
At about 2 p.m. Wednesday, troopers told News 5 that the search of the business was concluded, and no arrests were made.
"Next steps are analyzing everything that we gathered from here today that's considered evidence," said Santiago. "Obviously, going through that process with our partners to see if there's a bigger criminal enterprise that needs to be investigated."
The owner of the business that was searched told News 5 Investigators that he did nothing illegal.
"I've been here for 30 years," said Emir Abeid, owner of E & A Locksmith. "I have a big business over there, so I'm not worried about it. I never did anything wrong."
Abeid said dozens of investigators showed up at his business around 10 a.m. armed with the search warrant.
"I'll be honest, I don't know what it is for, but they've been suspicious of vehicle theft all over the place here," said Abeid. "So we sold some keys and we sold some machines and we sold it all online so they think we sold it to them, to the customers," said Abeid.
News 5 is told the investigation is ongoing.
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