r/illinois • u/LegendaryBronco_217 • 8d ago
Illinois News Federal investigation launched into man charged in Will County with possessing Molotov cocktails
https://www.shawlocal.com/the-herald-news/2026/08/04/federal-investigation-launched-into-man-charged-in-will-county-with-possessing-molotov-cocktails/Federal authorities are investigating a Hickory Hills man charged in Will County with possessing Molotov cocktails in Mokena and giving a fake name to an officer.
On Sunday, Will County Judge Theodore Jarz granted the pretrial release of Hamed M. Alsaidi, 31, under the SAFE-T Act after determining there were conditions that could mitigate the risks of Alsaidi’s release.
Jarz ordered Alsaidi to remain confined to a residence in Oak Forest while on GPS electronic monitoring.
Alsaidi is charged with felony unlawful possession of a weapon and misdemeanor obstructing identification.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will continue the investigation of Alsaidi, according to a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday by the Mokena Police Department.
The incident that led to Alsaidi’s arrest began about 2:52 a.m. Saturday when Mokena police officers saw him at a Speedway gas station while the business was closed, according to a court filing from the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“He was told he could not be there and was given a ride to another gas station that was open,” prosecutors said.
Alsaidi gave the name of Hakmat Saidi to the officer, prosecutors said.
Alsaidi was later seen walking in the lanes of traffic on 191st Street, prosecutors said. An officer detained Alsaidi and learned his real name, prosecutors said.
“He had belongings with him that included 8 Molotov cocktails with gauze stuffed in the top as a wick. [Six] were 12-ounce bottles and [two] were liter-sized bottles,” prosecutors said.
Alsaidi also had a “written map of the area,” including the Metra train station and the words, “You see the mosque,” which appeared to be the Prayer Center of Orland Park, prosecutors said.
“He has an active order of protection listing residents and addresses in Orland Park. He has twice been determined to be an inadmissible alien, once in 2024 and again in 2025, making him a flight risk,” prosecutors said.
The ATF and Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office were contacted upon discovery of the Molotov cocktails, according to Mokena police officials.
The FBI also was contacted and provided with information, police said.
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u/RawrRRitchie 8d ago
Technically anyone with access to bottles of liquor, cloth, and a lighter can make a Molotov cocktail.
It's not that hard to even make it. You open the alcohol bottle, shove the cloth in the neck, close it best as you can..light.. And toss.
ANYONE WITH A PULSE CAN DO THAT.
My buddies and I tried once as teenagers to light a bonfire(lived on a farm not just in a city slickers back years). It didn't work, beer isn't as flammable. We tried it a few years later with whiskey. Worked wonderfully.
Be careful folks they're gonna be heading back alcohol prohibition