NEWARK, DE — Two individuals are facing criminal charges after police determined that their claims of a carjacking incident were allegedly fabricated in an effort to resolve a personal dispute.
Authorities from the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 36-year-old Khaled Swailam and 29-year-old Ahmed Shalaby for their roles in what investigators concluded was a deliberately false report. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, December 12, 2024, when officers were dispatched at 3:59 a.m. to the 900 block of Marrows Road in Newark, following an emergency call reporting a carjacking.
Upon their arrival, officers spoke with Swailam, who claimed he had been forced out of his Cadillac by a known individual after being cut off by the individual’s vehicle. Swailam alleged that the suspect had pointed a weapon at him before stealing his car. Officers immediately launched an investigation, seeking to locate both the suspect and the missing vehicle.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit joined the effort, conducting additional interviews with both Swailam and Shalaby, who was involved in reporting the incident. During these interviews, inconsistencies began to emerge in their accounts. Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that the carjacking story was a fabrication. Further probing revealed that the vehicle had not been stolen but was instead located at an address linked to Shalaby and the individual they had identified as the suspect. Authorities state that the motive behind the false report was tied to a personal dispute involving the individuals.
Swailam and Shalaby have been charged with the following offenses:
- One felony count of providing a false statement to law enforcement.
- One felony count of second-degree conspiracy.
- One misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an incident to law enforcement.
Following their arrests, both men were arraigned. Swailam was presented before Justice of the Peace Court 02, where he was released on $3,000 unsecured bail. Shalaby was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on his own recognizance.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized the severity of falsely reporting crimes, noting that such actions can divert critical resources away from genuine cases and put communities at risk. While the details of the alleged dispute remain unclear, police continue to investigate.
It is important to note that, as in all cases, the charges are allegations at this stage. Swailam and Shalaby are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Further details may emerge as authorities proceed with their investigation.
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