Man Threatened 3 People Due To Jewish Heritage: Philadelphia DA

PHILADELPHIA — Authorities in Philadelphia said three people have been charged with ethnic intimidation and related crimes after they targeted three Jewish people in Northeast Philadelphia this summer.

Aueb Salahedein, 22, Adam Anse, 19, and Ahmad Twam, 19, are all charged with three counts each of ethnic intimidation, criminal conspiracy, terroristic threats, possession of an instrument of crime, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person. Salahedein is also charged with two firearm violations.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in the early hours of June 30 outside Bluegrass Billiards, on the 9400 block of Blue Grass Road in Northeast Philadelphia.

Salahedein, Anse, and Twam were talking with the victims, and during the conversation learned the victims were of Jewish descent.

That's when authorities said the three started using antisemitic slurs and making threats toward the victims.

Salahedein is accused of pulling out a gun a from a crossbody bag and aiming it at the victims

The three victims ran to their vehicle in an attempt to escape, and Salahedein struck the vehicle's windshield with the butt of his firearm, cracking the glass.

Salahedein, Anse, and Twam drove off in a BMW, but the victims got the vehicle's license plate number.

Through surveillance video, witness statements, and call detail records analyzed by the Gun Violence Task Force, investigators were able to identify the defendants and establish that they were together on the night of the incident, authorities said.

Investigators also learned Salahedein bought a 9mm Taurus handgun 12 days before the incident.

After executing a search warrant at Salahedein's home, investigators found the crossbody bag, as well as a 9mm magazine and related firearm evidence.

Salahedein, Anse, and Twam were arrested on Oct. 18.

"I applaud the skillful and thorough investigation conducted by DA Detectives Dan Leonard and Michael Wexler, Philadelphia Police Detective Konstantinos Apostolou, and GVTF Criminal Analyst Kevin Taylor," District Attorney Larry Krasner said. "Thanks to modern investigative techniques and dedicated law enforcement personnel, these defendants will be held accountable for their hateful actions. This should also serve as a warning to others who may engage in this abhorrent behavior that you will be apprehended and prosecuted."