What we know about suspects accused in Stradivarius theft
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News is learning more about the suspects accused in the theft of the Stradivarius violin. They are accused of pulling off one of Milwaukee's largest heists ever.
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Salah Salahadyn
During a news conference on Thursday, February 6th, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said an anonymous tip helped them to identify a primary suspect -- 41-year-old Salah Salahadyn.
Police believe 36-year-old Universal Knowledge Allah purchased the taser used in this case. Law enforcement officials worked closely with Taser International which led officials to Allah.
Salahadyn has a criminal history involving stolen art in the past.
In 1999, he was charged with trying to sell a $25,000 statue back to its owner. The statue was taken from a gallery in 1995.
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Universal Allah
Allah was once a member of a black supremacy group, known as the "Five Percenters." He legally changed his name in 1999 from Shaudell Johnson.
On the Internet, he can be heard preaching the word of a supreme being.
"My name is Universal Knowledge Allah. Universal -- that which can be applied everywhere. I bear witness to myself having a supreme intelligence, and supreme knowledge of myself. Allah is the name of the supreme of all beings -- the supreme being black man of Asia. I am the supreme being black man of Asia," Allah is heard saying online.
Back in 2005, FOX6 Investigators did a story on the "Five Percenters" -- the black supremacy group Allah has been linked to. Members of the group were accused of slashing tires of vans rented by the Republican Party a year earlier.
It has been revealed that he recently cut the hair of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Allah does not have a criminal record.
A 32-year-old female suspect has been released from custody.
Charges in this case could come Friday morning, February 7th.
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1715 Lipinski Stradivarius violin
The Milwaukee Police Department recovered the stolen 1715 Lipinski Stradivarius violin from a home in the city’s Bay View neighborhood. It appears to be in perfect condition — and is expected to be returned to its owner soon.
On Monday, January 27th, two armed suspects, a man and a woman, approached concertmaster violinist Frank Almond of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra who had just performed at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Almond walked to a parking lot after the concert and the suspects approached Almond. They used a taser on Almond, causing him to drop the violin and fall to the ground. The suspects then stole the violin, valued at approximately $6 million.
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