Photo by David Greene
The owner of a popular deli in Norwood faces a slew of charged after he and several others were arrested in an early morning raid last week, followed by a second raid the following day at the man’s home. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirms that the entire family has been charged in a $296,000 food stamp fraud scheme.
Police stormed into the AKS Halal Deli and Grill at 319 E. 204th St. on June 24. The popular deli boasts a large spread of hot food for its regulars and passersby. Police say the owner, Ali Shahzad, 61, was taken into custody in the initial raid. Authorities later shut down store, which remains closed as of press time.
One source claimed a second raid was conducted in the early morning hours of June 25 at the family’s three-story home at 3014 Bainbridge Ave.
Also arrested was Atif Shahzad, 25; Saqib Shahzad, 29; Samina Shahzad, 55, and Kashif Shahzad,
Photo by David Greene
31, all of 3014 Bainbridge Ave. According to NYPD officials, the five individuals were arrested, “in regards to an ongoing investigation involving the illegal use (of) electronic benefit transactions (EBT).”
Benefits usually come in the form of an EBT debit card pre-loaded with benefits with a monetary value that runs between hundreds or thousands of dollars. Stores are barred from exchanging real cash for benefits that are debited upon swiping the card through an EBT reader. In the case of AKS Halal Deli, the deli had apparently been under investigation since June, 2012, and undercover officers made 14 visits to the store between May, 2015 and May, 2016, where they purchased cigarettes and beer and was given cash that was then deducted from the food stamp benefits card, according to the criminal complaint.
“The defendants knowingly used, transferred, acquired, altered, purchased, transported and possessed food stamp program coupons, cards and devices which entitle a person to food stamps in a manner not authorized,” read the complaint.
In many instances, police wait long enough to build a substantial case against a suspect before closing in on the suspected thieves. One police source explained undercover authorities “may continue to investigate for up to a year and-a-half. They come many times and the money is recorded and the conversations are recorded.”
According to Joan Vollero of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the investigation was conducted by the New York County District Attorney’s Office Squad and all of the defendants were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and all posted bail set between $2,500 and $25,000.
The five individuals face multiple counts of grand larceny, misuse of food stamp program coupons and conspiracy. Repeated attempts to reach the Shahzad family, said to have immigrated from Pakistan, were unsuccessful.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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A once nice area now a hellhole.
They are an awsome family! They have been in the nieborhood for years! I can’t believe for one second they did any food stamp fruads! I feel horrible to see this has happenned to them!😞😞😞
As though this should be a shock to anyone. Perhaps NYS should rethink allowing these “delis” and corner store dumps to accept food stamps.
They should investigate Washington Heights. Just about every store would be shut down.
Same with Williamsburg, Kiryas Joel, Monroe, Lakewood NJ, Passaic Park, etc. Welfare, food stamp and Section 8 abuse is RAMPANT in those communities.
I live a block from this Deli and it was my favorite… I am very sad to hear what has happened… this was and STILL is a great neighborhood. One thing in this article seems a bit off… I have shopped daily at this deli and have gotten to know the family. and I can say with 100% certainty that they DO NOT sell beer or any type of Alcoholic beverages, So it seems odd that police claim to have purchased beer there in the past year.
I really hope this all gets worked out…
It’s only recently that they stopped selling beer and alcohol beverages. When the renovations started they were fully stocked with it. I don’t doubt this is what happened because I have known them to pay out for food stamps for many years, but they were just surviving like everyone other deli out there. Unfortunately there are risks for their actions and the happen to be caught. They are a good family and help the community alot. I hope this works out for them.
That’s total bs. I’ve been going to that store since I moved to norwood in march 2013 and I’ve never seen anything going on other professionalism and curtiosy. By the way the store doesn’t even carry any alcoholic beverages. I feel that they were targeted for their religious beliefs.
I agree. I also know the D amily personally and have been there often. They stopped selling alcohol a few years ago and already eliminated most of their cigarette sales. Something is not right with this report…
This article is not credible at all. That Deli doesn’t sell alcohol. I’ve been living here for 15 years and I’ve seen all the changes and renovations they’ve made, but the ‘No alcohol’ policy has always been constant. You guys don’t know what you’re talking about. This is a great Deli, very shocked, great family, excellent service.
I live right down the block & must say this is my absolute favorite Deli in the neighborhood. I too have gotten to know each & every member of this family & they are all great. The customer service is amazing, & I’ve not once been disappointed with the food. I go to this deli almost every single day & have not one complaint. I agree with the comment I read above stating the lack of beer or any alcoholic beverages, I have yet to even see a single beer in this deli, so I do not for one second believe any could’ve been purchased by an undercover. As I stated before, this is my absolute favorite deli & the best one in our neighborhood. There are plenty of other delis in our neighborhood that are questionable and I don’t see even a single article up here about any of the others. I hope this all goes away & they’re back for good.
I have known this family personally and deli when it was only a corner store with none of the decorations and renovations. The article is true becuase that is what they did, plus many other stuff. They are great people but i personally know they sold food stamps, and loosies. The brothers are entertaining and funny. But they also did underhand deals to make as much money as they can.If you do the crime you take the time. You can defend them all you want fact is they drive expensive cars, wear expensive clothes and just did $200+k of renovations that none of the other delis in the area can afford. So where did the money come from? Don’t be stupid people. They are religious yes but they weren’t targets they committed crimes.
Wow I use to go there every afternoon sad to hear this happened my prayers goes out to that family but u do the crime u pay every bad thing u do In life eventually u will get caught..
It’s sad to see that this happened. I really doubt the credibility behind the NYPD’s story since AKS Deli doesn’t sell alcohol, and I’m saying this from firsthand experience. I also have faith in the family that owns this deli. I truly believe they would not take part in any fraudulent activities. They have only provided stellar customer service and showed true care for their neighbors. Thankfully, AKS Deli is open now, and if God wills, this won’t happen again.
The information in regards to them selling alcohol is not true! However they have been known to cash in food stamps and that’s FRAUD my heart goes out to them they are a nice Muslim family. This is really sad to hear
seems like comments from aks sympathizers vs. non. They are religious fam who got greedy and in the process learnt how greed is a curse. lavish lifestyle, new exotic cars doesnt come from fair games running delis. These are the kinds of immigrants who misuse welfare, food stamp, and all govt benefits and then curse america. They are fuel for trump’s rise. Its about time they got caught. they give hard working immigrants a bad name who are trying to survive living by the book.
I have been going to there store since i moved into the neighborhood and have never had any issues with any member of the family. They are all kind and helpful, I pray they will be able to resolve whatever issues and accusations have been sent there way.
They all got found guilty by trial. 3 counts of $50,000 grand larceny for each of them($150,000 each) Not so innocent anymore. They stole from people that really needed these funds and they lived in luxury. God knows best.