Tinley Park Man Charged in $9,100 ID Theft Case

Sahran Almasri accused of using stolen credit cards and fake ID to make unauthorized purchases

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 37-year-old Tinley Park man has been charged with aggravated identity theft after allegedly using stolen credit and debit cards to make over $9,100 in unauthorized purchases. Sahran Almasri is accused of intercepting the victims' cards in the mail and then using a fake Illinois driver's license with the victims' information to complete the fraudulent transactions at a local auto shop.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of mail theft and identity fraud, which can have serious financial and personal consequences for victims. It also raises concerns about the security measures in place to prevent such crimes, especially when it comes to verifying identities during financial transactions.

The details

According to police, Almasri allegedly stole several credit and debit cards from the mail before the intended recipients had even received them. He then used one of the stolen cards to make a $9,100 purchase at Hot Wheels Auto LLC, providing a fake Illinois driver's license with the victim's personal information. The auto shop representative confirmed that Almasri was the employee who completed the fraudulent transaction.

  • The alleged crimes occurred between July 2025 and February 2026.
  • Almasri turned himself in to the Palos Heights police station on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Sahran Almasri

A 37-year-old Tinley Park resident who has been charged with one felony count of aggravated identity theft.

Hot Wheels Auto LLC

The auto shop where Almasri allegedly used a stolen credit card and fake ID to make a $9,100 purchase.

Palos Heights Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the identity theft case and charged Almasri.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must remain vigilant in protecting our community from these types of crimes.”

— Chief Thomas Czerniak, Palos Heights Police Department (Palos Heights Police Department)

What’s next

Almasri is scheduled to appear in court at the Bridgeview Courthouse on a future date to face the felony charges.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of securing personal information and monitoring financial accounts closely to detect and prevent identity theft. It also highlights the need for businesses to implement robust identity verification procedures to protect against fraudulent transactions.