Man Pulls Fire Alarm At Bridgeview Business: Cops

BRIDGEVIEW, IL -- A Chicago man pulled the fire alarm inside a donut shop and gas station, each time causing the businesses to evacuate and drawing a large emergency response, prosecutors said. Michael Kharallah, 44, appeared before Cook County Judge Michael Cain on two felony counts disorderly conduct.

According to the charges, around 10:57 p.m. June 7, Kharallah entered the Pilot Travel Center at 75th Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview and pulled the fire alarm. Employees and customers evacuated the business, as police and firefighters arrived in response to the alarm. Kharallah was briefly detained near the scene but was released, the prosecutor said.

A few weeks later, around 10:30 p.m. June 17, the prosecutor said Kharallah pulled the same stunt at a Dunkin Donuts, 7949 W 79th St. Bridgeview firefighters arrived on the scene. Security videos showed Kharallah allegedly pulling the alarm. Kharallah was arrested June 26 in 8200 block of South Harlem Avenue. Bridgeview police said Kharallah admitted to pulling the alarm.

The assistant public defender said that Kharallah has a previous history of mental health issues.

Bail was set at $20,000 for each offense. The judge also ordered a mental health evaluation in Cermak Hospital. Kharallah’s next court date is July 18 in Bridgeview.