Police: Two selling phony iPhones

DeKALB – A 70-year-old Chicago man and 51-year-old Melrose Park man were arrested Tuesday after DeKalb police say they were trying to sell counterfeit iPhones near the Northern Illinois University campus.

Farid A. Ihmud, of the 5800 block of West Cornelia Avenue, Chicago; and Emaad El-Hindi, of the 1000 block of West Medill Avenue, Melrose Park; were each charged with violating the Counterfeit Trademark Act.

DeKalb police say the men were trying to sell three counterfeit Apple iPhone SC's at 12:46 p.m. Tuesday on the 1000 block of West Hillcrest Avenue in DeKalb, an area highly populated by NIU students. The fake phones were in counterfeit Apple boxes, and an Apple icon would appear when the phones were turned on, court records show.

Apple iPhone SC's have a retail value of $549 each, court records show. Police put the value of the fake iPhones at more than $1,000, court records show.

Ihmud and El-Hindi have no prior criminal history. Each posted $500 bail Wednesday in order to be released from jail while their cases are pending.

Both men are next due in court April 17.