FBI Seize Surveillance Videos From Aurora U-Hauls
FBI Had Court Orders For Security Videos, U-Haul Says
POSTED: 3:01 pm MDT October 1, 2009
UPDATED: 3:44 pm MDT October 1, 2009
AURORA, Colo. -- The FBI has seized security video from one or more U-Haul outlets in the Aurora area in a widening investigation to see if terror suspect Najibullah Zazi and other men attempted to rent or purchase trucks or trailers, sources told 7NEWS.A spokeswoman for U-Haul International, Inc. could not confirm reports that security video taken by the FBI from the Aurora U-Haul outlet on 750 S. Buckley Road showed Zazi and other men inquiring about renting trucks in early September."We have cooperated in providing surveillance videos and any information to law enforcement at their request on locations in that (Aurora) area," Joanne Fried said Thursday from U-Haul’s Phoenix headquarters.
She added that FBI agents had a court order for the security videos."We do not know what was on the videos," she said. "Nor do I know what (specific) locations we provided surveillance videos from to law enforcement."There are six Aurora businesses renting U-Haul equipment in Aurora, according to the company Web site.FBI agents have also inquired about any "unusual" U-Haul rentals by Zazi and possible accomplices at the Texaco Xpress Lube, located at 15533 E. Mississippi Ave., said owner Ryan Ritchie.Ritchie said agents showed up days before the Afghanistan-born Zazi, an airport shuttle van driver, his father and a New York Muslim cleric were arrested Sept. 19 for allegedly providing false information to the FBI.Ritchie said he knew Zazi well because he and several other First ABC airport shuttle drivers, all Middle Eastern immigrants, used to bring their vans to the Texaco station for oil changes."I woke up one morning and saw him on TV and said, 'That’s one of my customers,'" Ritchie said.So, when FBI agents showed Ritchie a sheet of photos with about 30 men and one woman, he picked out Zazi and two other men who appeared familiar. The station owner said he wasn't sure if he'd seen the other two men at his business or on TV, but he added the unidentified men were not among his shuttle-driver customers.Ritchie told investigators that Zazi and others hadn't attempted to rent U-Haul vehicles.But then last Thursday an ABC Airport Shuttle driver who worked with Zazi came in and asked one of Ritchie's employees if he could buy a 6-by-12-foot U-Haul trailer. When the owner learned of the inquiry the next day, Sept. 25, he called the FBI.FBI agents told him they would investigate the shuttle driver's background and contact Ritchie again Monday if anything turned up."I think it turned out to be nothing, because the FBI never contacted me again," he said.The 24-year-old Zazi has been indicted by a New York federal grand jury for conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against the United States.The indictment said surveillance video and receipts show that Zazi purchased liquid developer clairoxide from an Aurora beauty supply store on July 25 and bought 12 32-ounce bottles of "Ms. Kay's Liquid 40 strength" on Aug. 28. That same day, Zazi rented a suite to cook the ingredients, the affidavit said.Individuals associated with Zazi purchased unusual quantities of hydrogen and acetone on July, August and September from three different beauty supply stores in and around Aurora, the indictment said. Those "associates" have not been named.
Previous Stories:
- September 29, 2009: Terror Plot Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In NYC
- September 28, 2009: Source: Zazi's Accomplices In NYC Terror Plot Known
- September 27, 2009: Feds: Zazi Trips, Shopping Led To NY Terror Threat
- September 27, 2009: Colorado Home Of Country's Only Terrorism Museum
- September 26, 2009: Prosecutor: Terror Plot Focus Was 9/11 Anniversary
- September 25, 2009: Zazi In New York To Face Terrorism Charge
- September 24, 2009: Indictment: Zazi Bought Beauty Supplies Used To Make Bombs
- September 23, 2009: Employer Says Zazi Hard Worker, Passed Background Checks
- September 22, 2009: FBI Issues Bulletin To Hotels, Sports Stadiums
- September 22, 2009: Terror Plot Suspect Appears In Federal Court
- September 21, 2009: Terrorism Suspect's Attorney Facing Marijuana Charge
- September 21, 2009: Timeline In Terror Investigation Centered On Aurora Man
- September 21, 2009: More Colorado Arrests Possible In Terror Probe
- September 19, 2009: Terror Suspect, Father Arrested; Feds File Criminal Charges
- September 19, 2009: Men With Loaded Weapons Stopped Near Zazi's Home
- September 18, 2009: ABC News: Zazi Admits Al-Qaida Ties, May Plead Guilty
- September 18, 2009: CALL7 Investigators: Bankruptcy Filing Raises Questions
- September 18, 2009: Aurora Man To Undergo Third Day Of FBI Questioning
- September 17, 2009: Attorney: FBI Says Najibullah Zazi Not A Suspect
- September 15, 2009: Colo. Man Denies Terrorist Ties After NYC Raids
Copyright 2010 by TheDenverChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.






