Lebanese man who trained at guerrilla camps arrested in Portland [AP]

AP, via Oregon Online ^ | 12/11/01 | AP

[summer]

Oregon News

Lebanese man who trained at guerrilla camps arrested in Portland

By WILLIAM McCALL

The Associated Press

12/11/01 9:01 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Police and federal agents arrested a Lebanese man on a weapons charge and in a subsequent search found two guns in his car and a calendar at his home with Sept. 11 highlighted, police Chief Mark Kroeker said Tuesday.

It was not clear whether the suspect had highlighted the date before or after the attacks on Sept. 11, or whether he had any links to the attacks, Kroeker said.

"The connections he has to any individuals or other groups are specifically off limits for me to discuss," Kroeker said.

Kroeker also said the suspect has told police he received training at Lebanese guerrilla camps, and that at the man's Portland home police found a plaque with the name "Hamas" -- the guerrilla group that has been staging suicide bombings in Israel.

Kroeker also said the man is not on the list of 23 people in Portland whom federal authorities want to interview as part of the nationwide anti-terror investigation.

Kroeker identified the suspect as 39-year-old Ali Khaled Steitiye, and said he was arrested on Oct. 24 after after a gun dealer alerted police a man had tried to fraudulently buy an assault rifle from him.

Portland's joint terrorism task force -- which consists of federal agents and city police -- then placed the man under surveillance.

Investigators later searched the man's car and his home.

In the car, they found a fully loaded Russian-made 9mm pistol, a Romanian-made assault rifle, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and a machete, Kroeker said.

At the suspect's southwest Portland home police found Social Security cards, credit cards and an immigration green card that are also believed to have been fraudulently obtained, Kroeker said.

Also found in the home was a calendar with the date Sept. 11 highlighted, the plaque with the word "Hamas," and $20,000 in cash, Kroeker said.

Steitiye has been an American citizen since last year, but is believed to have obtained his citizenship fraudulently, Kroeker said.

Steitiye was in federal custody at an undisclosed location, Kroeker said.

Kroeker was clearly proud of the arrest, whose announcement follows criticism of his police department for being the first in the nation to reject a federal request to participate in the nationwide interviews of 5,000 people as part of the anti-terror investigation.

"We are not making the point that the Portland Police Bureau is any better than any other organization," Kroeker said at a news conference to announce the arrest.

"The point I want to make is this organization is working in full cooperation" with federal agencies, Kroeker said.

Michael Mosman, the U.S. attorney for Oregon, refused to discuss the case but praised police for their work.

"When the rubber hits the road, Portland police have been there for us," Mosman said.

[summer]

I did a search, but this did not come up. I was surprised when CNN mentioned it just now.

[struwwelpeter]

I say give him the benefit of the doubt on the 9/11 thing, but shoot him for the training.

[hoosierboy]

Wasn't portland the city that wouldn't participate in the racila profiling handed down by ashcroft? If this is true maybe it was a ruse for these clowns to move there.

[aculeus]

This is the city that refused to cooperate? What happened, they got lucky?

[randog]

What happened, they got lucky?

Yeah, read the article--a gun dealer turned the guy in. Then the police chief acts like he's Sherlock Effing Holmes.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

It must be a mistake. Portland doesn't have anyone in it's borders who might be affiliated with Terrorists. Set him free.

Let's hope he has some pot plants growing, then he can beat the rap for certain ;)

[Enlightiator]

In the car, they found a fully loaded Russian-made 9mm pistol, a Romanian-made assault rifle, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and a machete, Kroeker said.

On the way to target practice and a little weed whacking. Move along folks, nothing to see here....(lol, always wanted to post that last sentence)

[my trusty sig]

Hee hee, that's a very well balanced approach, a reasonable compromise. LOL

[Dems_R_Losers]

Steitiye has been an American citizen since last year, but is believed to have obtained his citizenship fraudulently,Kroeker said.

Not fraudulently....just another criminal given citizenship by Bill Clinton. No doubt he voted several times for Al Gore!

I wonder how many other "instant citizens" hustled through by the Clintons are out there waiting for their orders.

[mostlyundecided]

My first question is:
Did he have any other dates hilighted on that calendar?

[d4now]

Excellent question.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping! He was probably just an innocent tree hugger from Lebannon!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Cultural-killing cabal

That does describe the Political Correct crowd for sure!

[Travis McGee]

In the car, they found a fully loaded Russian-made 9mm pistol, a Romanian-made assault rifle, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and a machete, Kroeker said.

Here it comes: gotta outlaw all those nasty assault rifles to keep them out of the hands of terrorists. I can hear Chuckie now.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks summer for this find and posting of it!

For those not following the saga of the left wing wacko mayor of Portland, Or., her butt boy police chiefs, and her ACLU city lawyer in their refusal to even question potential terrorists. Please go to this link for some great graphics and discussions on this issue! (Link to how Left Wing Portland loves Islamic terrorists or at least potential terrorists)

[Grampa Dave]

RBA posted, "Let's hope he has some pot plants growing, then he can beat the rap for certain ;)"

Yeah he could say the pot and his guns were his tools to implement the new suicide law in Oregon. He would get a new chauffered limo driven by the police chief to make his rounds!

Of course the Portland Police and city attorney's will not question him. He might feel embarassed and stigmatized!