Arab American News Staff in Plain View in Burglary Attempt: Police

DEARBORN, MI – Two people tried to break into the Arab American News office early Friday morning as members of the newspaper staff worked to meet the deadline for the weekly publication, police said.

Eleven members of the staff were clearly visible in the newsroom at 5706 Chase when the men allegedly attempted to break in the building at 2:22 a.m., Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said in a statement.

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The staff members went to a secure area away from the glass windows and door after hearing what they thought were gunshots and called police.

Haddad said the fact that the would-be intruders could clearly see the building was occupied by multiple people was one of the more troubling aspects of the attempted break-in.

“What is particularly disturbing about this crime is that brazen suspects made violent efforts to gain entry into the building which was clearly occupied by newspaper staff,” he said.

A reporter, Hassan Khalifeh, said in an account of the incident on the newspaper’s website that he believes the men were armed.

“They wouldn't confront us if they did not have guns,” he said.

Arab American News, publisher Osama Siblani called the attempted break-in a “cowardly attack,” but said it “will not deter us from continuing our journalistic mission.”

"We have been here for 31 years,” Siblani said. “We have endured many threats in the past and they have not moved us from continuing to report the truth. We were fortunate that no one was harmed."

The suspects reportedly drove away in a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Haddad said a motive is unclear at this time. The area where the newspaper office is located isn’t considered a high-crime area.

Detectives and forensics specialists are investigating, he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police:

• Dearborn Police Anonymous TIP Line: (313) 943-3012
• Dearborn Police Suspicious Activity Line: (313) 943-3030

Below are surveillance video clips from the attempted burglary.

» Photos and video via Dearborn Police Department