Teen beaten by Oak Lawn police charged in Orland robbery

By Bob Bong

A Bridgeview teen who was beaten by Oak Lawn police after he fled from a traffic stop in 2022 has been charged with robbing a man at a fitness center in Orland Park in December.

Orland police said Hadi Abuatelah, 19, was one of three teens who assaulted the victim on December 10 at Life Time Fitness, 16333 S. LaGrange Road. Also charged was Sami Hirmiz, 19, of Oak Lawn. A third teen, Nooh Masoud, 18, of Hickory Hills, is wanted for his role in the attack, police said.

Abuatelah was chased by police after he fled from a traffic stop in July 2022. Police repeatedly punched him after catching him and found a loaded handgun in a bag he was carrying. Abuatelah was hospitalized with internal bleeding in his brain, a fractured pelvis, broken nose, lacerations, and bruises after the violent arrest on July 27. He was later charged with unlawful use of a weapon.

His family has filed a federal lawsuit against the Oak Lawn Police Department.

Oak Lawn police officer Patrick O’Donnell has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of official misconduct in the incident.

Orland Park police said they responded to a report of a robbery at Life Time Fitness at 6 p.m. December 10. Upon arrival, officers learned there were three individuals who were suspected of committing robbery against one victim.

The investigation revealed that the victim had a verbal altercation with three previous acquaintances, Hirmiz, Abuatelah and Masoud in a common area of Life Time Fitness. Police said the victim entered the locker room and the three men followed him in. Inside the locker room, the three suspects began to physically assault the victim by kicking and punching him in the face and body numerous times. While the victim was on the ground, one of the suspects removed the victim’s cell phone from his pocket and the suspects fled the building. The victim was transported to an area hospital where it was determined that he suffered a dislocated shoulder as a result of the assault.

Investigators learned that Hirmiz was scheduled to appear at the Bridgeview Courthouse on January 4 regarding an unrelated matter. Investigators went to the courthouse and located Hirmiz after his court appearance. While being taken into custody, Hirmiz attempted to flee but was captured. Later that same day, Abuatelah was taken into custody at his home without incident. Masoud could not be located and refused to turn himself in.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office was contacted and approved felony charges of Robbery (Class 2) for both Hirmiz and Abuatelah. Hirmiz was also charged with two counts of misdemeanor Resisting Arrest.

On January 16, an arrest warrant was issued for Masoud for Robbery (Class 2), Mob Action (Class 4) and Aggravated Battery (Class 3).