Man Charged with Kidnapping and Robbing Women at O’Hare Airport
CHICAGO — Tamer Refaie, a 33-year-old man from Burbank, has been charged with kidnapping, robbery, theft, and unlawful restraint after allegedly targeting women at O’Hare International Airport.
According to court records, Refaie is accused of posing as an Uber or taxi driver and picking up women from Terminal 5, only to refuse to let them out of the car until they withdrew money from an ATM.
In one case, a 49-year-old woman from Champaign County accepted a ride from Refaie on July 28. He drove recklessly and demanded cash payment for the ride. He then took her to an ATM where she was forced to withdraw money under his watchful eye, before dropping her off at Midway Airport.
Prosecutors filed a detention petition for the second case, citing similarities to the first incident. Judge William Fahy granted the petition, noting that Refaie was already on electronic monitoring for the initial charges.
Refaie now faces charges of unlawful restraint and felony theft in the new case, adding to the previous charges of kidnapping, robbery, and theft.
The incidents have raised concerns about passenger safety at O’Hare Airport, prompting authorities to remind travelers to verify their ride-sharing drivers before getting into any vehicle.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim of a similar crime to come forward and report it to the police.
