Convicted Restaurateur Killed in Upper Marlboro

Photo credit: Prince George’s County Police Department

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A former Virginia restaurant owner who was convicted of defrauding banks for more than $50 million was found dead in Upper Marlboro this weekend.

Osama El-Atari, 37, of Leesburg, VA, was found shot to death in his pickup truck in Upper Marlboro on Saturday, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department .

Police say that at 3:39 p.m. Saturday, patrol officers were called to the 9000 block of Armstrong Lane. The victim was found inside a pickup truck suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Detectives are working to identify a motive and suspect(s) in this case. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case.

El-Atari was reported missing in Loudoun County on Feb. 11.

El-Atari is the former owner of the Original Steakhouse and Sports Theaters in Ashburn and Woodbridge, VA.

He was convicted in 2010 for defrauding banks nationwide for $53 million, according to an FBI announcement. In 2014 El-Atari was released from jail after serving 51 months of his 144-month sentence because he provided information to authorities about two other prisoners, according to The Washington Post.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 301-772-4925.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.