By Shawn Henry 
An Illinois tow truck driver is facing felony charges after authorities say he illegally sold several stolen vehicles to a scrap yard for cash. Illinois State Police reported that Saeed Mustafa, 36, was arrested and charged with six counts of conspiracy to receive, possess, or sell a stolen motor vehicle. Investigators allege Mustafa used his position as a tow truck driver to take control of vehicles and then sell them to a junk car company despite not having legal ownership.
The investigation began on Feb. 12 after a motorist reported that their vehicle disappeared following a crash along the Bishop Ford Freeway near the Beaubien Woods area on Chicago’s South Side. According to state police, the driver had contacted a private towing company to retrieve the damaged vehicle and left it on the interstate while waiting for a tow truck to arrive. By the time the towing company reached the location, the vehicle was already gone.
Illinois State Police launched an investigation after the report of the missing vehicle. Troopers examined the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and began tracing the vehicle’s movements after it left the freeway. Authorities determined that Mustafa allegedly took possession of the car and transported it away from the crash scene.
Investigators said the vehicle was then taken to a local junk car company, where it was sold for scrap metal. Police reported that Mustafa allegedly provided paperwork claiming he had the legal authority to dispose of the vehicle. Authorities said that documentation was false and did not represent legitimate ownership or permission to sell the vehicle.
Once troopers identified the vehicle’s destination, the investigation expanded beyond a single incident. Police said they began reviewing additional records tied to the junk car company and the vehicles that had been brought there for scrap. The review revealed a pattern that investigators say involved multiple vehicles being sold under questionable circumstances.
Authorities reported that Mustafa allegedly transported several vehicles to the same scrap business in exchange for payment. During the investigation, troopers discovered that some of the vehicles sold to the company had previously been reported stolen. According to state police, those vehicles were linked to theft reports filed in both Chicago and neighboring Indiana.
Police said the discovery significantly broadened the case, shifting the focus from a single missing vehicle to a suspected scheme involving multiple stolen cars. Investigators examined paperwork tied to the transactions and determined that several vehicles sold through the operation were not legally owned by the person presenting them for scrap.
Selling vehicles for scrap typically requires documentation proving ownership or authorization from the legal owner. Authorities said Mustafa allegedly bypassed those requirements by presenting false paperwork when delivering vehicles to the junk car company. Investigators believe the documents were used to make it appear that he had legal authority to sell the vehicles.
Illinois State Police said the investigation continued for weeks as troopers gathered evidence and tracked down records connected to the scrap transactions. Officers worked to identify the vehicles involved and confirm which ones had been reported stolen prior to being sold for scrap metal.
The case reached a turning point on Friday when Mustafa was located during a traffic stop. Authorities said he was taken into custody along Interstate 94 without incident. Following his arrest, he was formally charged with six counts of conspiracy to receive, possess, or sell a stolen motor vehicle.
Under Illinois law, the charges filed against Mustafa are classified as Class 2 felonies. Convictions for those offenses can carry significant penalties under state law. Prosecutors will determine how the case proceeds through the court system as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not released details about how much money was allegedly obtained through the sale of the vehicles. However, investigators indicated that the vehicles were sold specifically for scrap metal rather than resold as operable vehicles. Scrap operations typically dismantle vehicles for parts and metal recycling, which can make it difficult to recover stolen vehicles once they enter that system.
The alleged scheme also raises concerns for vehicle owners who rely on towing services after crashes or breakdowns. In many cases, damaged vehicles are left temporarily at roadside locations until authorized tow trucks arrive to transport them to repair shops or storage facilities. According to investigators, that type of situation created the opportunity for the alleged theft that triggered the case.
State police emphasized that the investigation began with the report from a single crash victim whose vehicle disappeared after being left on the interstate. That initial report allowed troopers to track the vehicle’s movement and identify the junk car company where it was ultimately sold.
From there, investigators worked backward through records to determine whether other vehicles had been handled in a similar way. Authorities said that process uncovered additional stolen vehicles connected to the same scrap operation.
The case now centers on allegations that a tow truck driver used his access to vehicles to illegally profit from their disposal. Investigators believe the suspect’s role in transporting vehicles allowed him to present them as legitimate scrap transactions even when the vehicles had been reported stolen.
Police have not indicated whether additional suspects or businesses could face charges as part of the investigation. Authorities said the focus remains on the individual accused of delivering the vehicles and providing the paperwork used during the transactions.
Mustafa remains in custody following his arrest on Interstate 94. Illinois State Police said the charges are tied to the investigation into multiple stolen vehicles that were allegedly sold to a junk car company for scrap metal. The case will now move through the court system as prosecutors pursue the felony charges filed against him.
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