Written by :
Published on :
Dentist among three Michigan men accused in bizarre kidnapping and grand larceny case that occurred at Vegas Strip hotel
Victim is said to have placed fake sports bets with DraftKings on behalf of one of the assailants that would have totaled $325,000
The attorney for a Dearborn, Michigan dentist accused in a violent kidnapping plot claims his client was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Naved Azim, of New York City, was beaten, strangled, gagged, and shoved in a closet in the horrific Wednesday incident that took place at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas police said.
Issa Hamade, 32; Ahmad Harb, 32; and Sobhi Sobh, 33, all from Michigan, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy, battery with intent to commit mayhem, robbery or grand larceny, and coercion with force or threats.
Michael Troiano, Hamade’s lawyer, said in court Wednesday that his client, who is a dentist, has a squeaky clean record and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Attorney Ryan Helmick, representing Sobh, described in court filings as a physical therapist, said there is “going to be a lot to uncover” in the convoluted case.
Both Troiano and Helmick are experienced criminal defense attorneys based out of Las Vegas. It was not immediately known as to whether Sobh had obtained legal representation.
Hamade is believed to be one of two men who posted bond after a Las Vegas Justice Court judge set bail at $100,000, ordered high-level electronic monitoring, and imposed a no-contact order with the alleged victim.
Further investigation indicates that Sobh and Azim knew each other prior to the incident. It was not immediately clear whether Hamade or Troiano had any prior association with Azim, whether they were aware of the circumstances leading up to the confrontation, or what role, if any, either man played in the alleged assault.
One or more of the assailants allegedly knocked Azim to his knees during the violent encounter then video called his father to demand payment, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
“Listen, your son scammed me out of 185k in fake sports bets. I want my money, period,” Harb allegedly messaged the father, police said.
Investigators claim one or more of the suspects gathered photographs, contact information and addresses for the victim’s family members and friends while threatening to harm them if the debt was not repaid.
Sobh told Las Vegas police that Azim actually owed him $325,000.
Fake Sports Bets
The New York Post painted Azim as a less sympathetic figure who admitted to police that he started placing sports bets on behalf of Harb, a Detroit-area DJ and promoter who appears to have a thriving global presence based on social media postings. At one point, Azim was allegedly supposed to place a $2,300 bet on Harb’s behalf on a Knicks game — winning him a $20,000 payout.
But Azim told the police he never actually placed the bet.
Azim allegedly went as far as to create fake DraftKings sports betting tickets to back up his lies.
Harb continued placing winning bets through Azim and tallied up what was supposed to be massive winnings, police said.
Azim told police he had hoped Harb would eventually lose a bet, which would help cover up the lie. That never happened as Harb kept providing Azim with winners.
It is not known at this time how Harb was made aware that Azim would be in Las Vegas on the day of the incident or whether the attack was premeditated.
Under Nevada law, first-degree kidnapping is among the state's most serious felonies. If convicted, all three men could face life sentences.
This is an ongoing investigation. All suspects are presumed innocent.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
