Tow Truck Driver Accused of Stealing Crashed Vehicles and Selling Them for Scrap

Illinois State Police say the driver presented fake paperwork to a junk car company to sell the stolen vehicles.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A 36-year-old tow truck driver from Chicago Ridge, Illinois, named Saeed E. Mustafa, is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly stealing vehicles from crash scenes and selling them to a junk car company using fraudulent paperwork. The investigation began when the owner of a vehicle reported it stolen after leaving it at the scene of a crash on the Bishop Ford freeway on I-94. Troopers discovered Mustafa had taken the vehicle without authorization and sold it to a local junk car company using fake documents. Further investigation revealed Mustafa had recently sold several other stolen vehicles from Chicago and Indiana to the same junk car company.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of proper procedures and oversight in the towing and salvage industries to prevent theft and fraud. Tow truck drivers have access to vulnerable vehicles at accident scenes, making them potential targets for criminal activity. The alleged actions of Mustafa undermine public trust and raise concerns about the security of vehicles involved in crashes.

The details

According to Illinois State Police, on February 12th, the owner of a vehicle reported their car stolen after leaving it at the scene of a crash on the Bishop Ford freeway on I-94. When the private towing company arrived, the vehicle was missing. Troopers initiated an investigation that revealed the suspect, Saeed E. Mustafa, had taken the vehicle without the owner's authority. Mustafa is alleged to have driven the vehicle to a local junk car company and provided the junker with false paperwork indicating he had the authority to sell the vehicle. Further investigation found Mustafa had recently brought several other vehicles to the same junk car company in exchange for money, and those vehicles had been reported stolen out of Chicago and Indiana.

  • On February 12th, the vehicle owner reported the car stolen from the crash scene on I-94.
  • Troopers initiated an investigation into Mustafa's activities shortly after the initial report.

The players

Saeed E. Mustafa

A 36-year-old tow truck driver from Chicago Ridge, Illinois, who is accused of stealing vehicles from crash scenes and selling them to a junk car company using fraudulent paperwork.

Illinois State Police

The law enforcement agency that investigated the alleged thefts and fraud committed by Mustafa.

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What’s next

Mustafa is being held pending his first court appearance, where a judge will determine if he should be released on bail or remain in custody as the case proceeds.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for stronger regulations and accountability measures in the towing and salvage industries to protect consumers and prevent criminal exploitation of vulnerable vehicles at accident scenes.