Two Men Charged for Roles in Alleged Wayne Chop Shop Operation

LANSING – Mohamad El-Hadi, 41, of Canton, and Dani Mourad, 44, of Dearborn Heights, have been arraigned in the 29th District Court in Wayne for their alleged roles in a chop shop operation, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. El-Hadi, the owner of Hadi’s Cash for Cars in Wayne, is charged with one count of Motor Vehicles – Operating a Chop Shop, a 10-year felony, and three counts of Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing a Motor Vehicle, each a 5-year felony. Mourad, an employee at Hadi’s Cash for Cars, has been charged with one count of Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing a Motor Vehicle.  

El-Hadi allegedly operated a chop shop where at least three vehicles reported stolen were discovered crushed in the company’s tow yard, including a 2009 Kia Sorrento, a 2013 Honda Odyssey, and a 2017 Buick Encore. It is further alleged Mourad was involved in picking up one of the stolen vehicles. 

“The Auto Fraud Task Force was created to tackle exactly this kind of alleged criminal activity,” Nessel said. “By embedding prosecutors directly within the Michigan State Police, we can continue dismantling auto theft and chop shop operations that threaten communities across our state.” 

In January, Attorney General Nessel expanded the Department’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit, transforming it into the Auto Fraud Task Force (AFTF) to reflect its broadened mission to combat both auto insurance fraud and large-scale criminal auto theft operations. As part of its expansion, AFTF has partnered with the Michigan State Police Metro Detroit Auto-Theft Recovery Team (MSP MDART), embedding a dedicated prosecutor within MSP MDART to pursue high-level auto theft rings operating in Metro Detroit. 

El-Hadi was arraigned Thursday, August 7, before Chief Judge Breeda K. O’Leary and given a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. Mourad was arraigned Friday, August 8, before Chief Judge O’Leary and given a $15,000 personal recognizance bond. The defendants will next appear in the 29th District Court on August 18.