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Man Arrested After Videotaping Bank Skyscrapers

Tuesday, August 10, 2004 – updated: 5:49 pm EDT August 10, 2004

Multiple government agencies and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced Tuesday the arrest of Kamran Akhtar, also known as Kamran Shaikh, a Pakistani foreign national.

Akhtar was arrested on a federal criminal complaint following a brief investigation regarding immigration violations during which, it is alleged, Akhtar made materially false statements to local and federal law enforcement representatives in Charlotte.

Authorities say Akhtar violated federal immigration and naturalization laws and made a materially false statement or statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the United States.

Akhtar was detained in federal custody Tuesday by a magistrate following his arrest and initial appearance on the federal criminal complaint.

According to court documents, Akhtar is a resident of Elmhurst, N.Y. and was stopped by Officer Anthony Maglione of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on July 20 when the officer said he witnessed Akhtar videotaping near the intersection of South Tryon Street and Stonewall Avenue.

The affidavit filed in support of the charges contained in the complaint more fully describes that Akhtar claimed to be legally in the United States with a green card, but that after further discussion, he finally admitted that he did not have a green card and that he had not traveled back to Pakistan since he left that country in 1991.

According to the affidavit, a review of the videotape contained in Akhtar's camera showed video of uptown Charlotte including the Bank of America Building and the Wachovia Building.

Authorities say Akhtar also possessed other videotapes, which he allowed law enforcement agents to view.

The tapes included video of buildings in other major U.S. cities, such as Atlanta, Austin, Dallas and New Orleans.

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The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the North Carolina Joint Terrorism Task Force in which the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement all participate.

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