Federal Agents Raid Seven IHOP Restaurants in Ohio and Indiana

TOLEDO, Ohio (NEWSCORE) - Federal agents raided seven IHOP locations in Ohio and Indiana Tuesday as part of an investigation into allegations of money laundering and undocumented workers, WTOL-TV reported.

Members of the FBI, US Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency took part in the restaurant raids, which began at approximately 6:00am local time.

A Toledo Police Department source told WTOL-TV that authorities may be investigating allegations of terrorism, but an IHOP spokesperson told the news station the company has been told the raids were not linked to a terrorism investigation.

Special Agent Scott Wilson, of the FBI's Cleveland Division, said he could not comment on the case but that he was not aware of any arrests in connection with the raids, FOX News Channel reported.

In Ohio, IHOP locations in west Toledo, Perrysburg, Springfield Township, Sylvania Township, Lima and Findlay were targeted in the raids, according to WTOL-TV. A restaurant in Evansville, Ind., was also searched.

All of the restaurants are owned by Terry Elk, whose real name is Tarek Elkafrawi, according to WFIE-TV.

Two homes were also raided, along with two storage units owned by Maazen Kadir, who is listed as the area manager of the west Toledo IHOP, WTOL-TV reported.

Read more: http://www.wtol.com/story/15503721/police-raid-ihop