Ojos Locos security guard arrested, accused of tasing two customers unlawfully
Security guard arrested after tasing customers
A local security guard was arrested and charged, accused of tasing two customers he thought dined and dashed. Investigators said they later learned the customers paid.
MEMORIAL CITY, Texas - A restaurant security guard has been arrested after Harris County Constable Deputies say he tazed two customers unlawfully.
Ojos Locos Security Guard arrested, charged with unlawfully deploying his taser
Ali Abdulkareem Al Saedi is charged with misdemeanor assault bodily injury.
Deputies with Constable Terry Allbritton's Office say they were dispatched to an Ojos Locos restaurant in Memorial City near the Sam Houston Parkway involving two dine and dashers on Friday, according to their FaceBook post.
They say after viewing security footage, deputies determined that the individuals had, in fact, paid for their meals.
They say Al Saedi, the on-site security officer, deployed his taser on both individuals without lawful justification.
Ali Abdulkareem Al Saedi
Terrifying moments
FOX 26 spoke with one victim involved in the incident. The victim stated he was tased three times, had an asthma attack, has 10 staples in his head, and broke his wrist.
"I feared for my life. I was laying down on the street, my life flashed right by me, I felt helpless," said Isaac Maduro.
Maduro says he went to the Ojos Locos to order to-go wings. He says he and his friend had two drinks while waiting for the order, paid, and left.
"The security guard came running outside and stopped us, and we stopped, walked back over calmly," he said. "He told us that we didn't pay, we said we did pay, he tased me three times and pepper sprayed me."
Maduro says he now cannot work because of his injuries and that the security guard also broke his phone and glasses.
He says he went straight to the hospital where he was treated for 12 hours.
"Thank god for the constables there. If it wasn't for the constables and the EMS, I probably wouldn't be here," he said.
He says he wants to spread awareness about the incident, so no one else is hurt.
"Sometimes whatever you do, you can still be hurt, even if you're calm. Just be careful, stay inside, make wings at home," he said.
Ojos Locos response
FOX 26's Abigail Dye reached out to Ojos Locos regarding the incident, requesting the security video along with the following email of questions:
I'm reaching out about an incident that happened at an OL location in Houston on the 10500 block of the Katy Freeway near the Sam Houston Parkway on April 12th. A security guard, ALI ABDULKAREEM K AL SAEDI, allegedly tasered two patrons. The suspect was subsequently charged in the incident.
I have a few questions about the incident:
1 - Does Ojos Locos hire their own security or contract through another company? From what I understand, OL has their own security. Just making sure.
2 - Does the company have a timeline of events they'd like to share?
3 - Is Al Saedi still employed with the company? If he is on leave, how long and is it paid?
4 - Is there an internal investigation into the matter?
I'm happy to include anything else the company would like to share, thank you.
Thomas Sparks, VP of Security Ojos Locos Sports Cantina, replied to one of the questions saying:
"Ojos Locos Sports Cantina does contract security services with a third-party security company, It is our policy not to comment in regard to ongoing investigations."
FOX 26 also reached out to Al Saedi's defense attorney, who said he has not reviewed the case and has no comment at this time.
$100 bond
Records show Al Saedi posted his $100 bond in the case. He is due back in court on April 21.
The Source: Information from Harris County Constable's Office, a victim involved in the attack, and Thomas Sparks, VP of Security Ojos Locos Sports Cantina.