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Crime & Safety

Darien Man Is a No-show in Hate Crime Court Appearance

Ali Akel faces up to five years if convicted of the most serious charge.

A Darien man charged with a hate crime after police said at a Woodridge gas station in June again failed to appear in court Monday to answer to charges.

Ali Akel, 32, was charged earlier this summer with three felonies: a hate crime and two charges of aggravated battery. He was also charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. If convicted of the most serious charges, the aggravated batteries, Akel could face five years in prison.

Akel, who had been free on a $10,000 bond, County Court late last month after initially telling a judge he would likely plead guilty. Bond was revoked after he didn’t appear for the July 25 hearing and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

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Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Lindt said another court date was not scheduled, and Akel would appear in court once he is apprehended.

Court records show leading up to the June 21 altercation, in which he tussled with a 22-year-old Chicago man at a Mobil gas station in Woodridge. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to damaging his family’s home; in 2005, he pleaded guilty to attempting to steal a $210,000 Ferrari from a Hinsdale dealership.

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His family has repeatedly sought protective orders from Akel, according to court records. In 2007, Akel sent a picture of himself holding a gun to a family member’s phone, prosecutors said.

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