Zain Ul Abdin Syed Ali, a 20-year-old Hammond man, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after police say he was involved in a string of burglaries, attempted burglaries, attempted auto thefts, vehicle thefts, and criminal mischief incidents on December 27, 2025, at various businesses and locations along Kennedy Avenue in Hammond.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Hammond police were summoned to Cruz Landscaping in the 6300 block of Kennedy Avenue around 10:20 a.m. after receiving a complaint of a suspicious person. Officers reported approaching Ali, who they said was uncooperative and supplied fake identifying information, including a bogus name and the claim that he did not have a birthday. Ali was put into custody.
During the search, police recovered a vehicle key, an amp, lottery tickets, and a City of Hammond employee identification card. An inventory search of Ali’s things allegedly turned up various vehicle titles, a license plate, vehicle registrations, jump-start equipment, and other papers pertaining to several vehicles and companies in the area.
Ali allegedly entered the Cruz Landscaping building through an open garage bay door and stole keys from inside. Police said that the found key operated a gray 2008 Volkswagen Jetta with steering-column damage consistent with an attempted auto theft.
Officers also said that Ali attempted to break into Some Auto Sales on the 6500 block of Kennedy Avenue, breaking a business door and removing vehicle titles from the mailbox. According to police, Ali entered and attempted to steal a white 2018 Ford Transit van parked near the American Legion Post, causing damage to the steering column.
Ali was linked to thefts from many vehicles parked behind businesses and on neighboring streets, including a silver 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan parked behind R and S Auto Body, a 2019 Chevrolet passenger van belonging to Northgate Church, and a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. Police said that stolen registrations, identification cards, and documents from these vehicles were later discovered in Ali’s hands.
Ali agreed to speak with authorities during a recorded interview on December 28, 2025, after being notified of his rights. He admitted to entering Cruz Landscaping through an open garage bay door, grabbing keys, and attempting to steal the Volkswagen Jetta. Ali alleged that the vehicle would not start and that he intended to jump start it with equipment discovered in his possession. He also admitted to entering the Ford Transit van, causing damage to the steering column, attempting to force access into Some Auto Sales, removing car titles from the business mailbox, and breaking into several vehicles in the neighborhood in search of money. Ali stated that he did not have permission to enter any of the businesses or cars involved.
In the Lake County Jail on January 3, 2026:
Charges filed on December 30, 2025:
- Burglary – Level 5 Felony
- Burglary (Attempt to Commit) – Level 5 Felony
- Auto Theft (Attempt to Commit) – Level 6 Felony
- Auto Theft (Attempt to Commit) – Level 6 Felony
- Auto Theft (Attempt to Commit) – Level 6 Felony
- Theft – Class A Misdemeanor
- Theft – Class A Misdemeanor
- Theft – Class A Misdemeanor
- Theft – Class A Misdemeanor
- Theft – Class A Misdemeanor
- Criminal Mischief (Damage Between $750 and $50,000) – Class A Misdemeanor
- Criminal Mischief – Class B Misdemeanor
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