Detectives raid Gallatin Avenue store, charge owners with felony theft

Metro detectives with the East Precinct raided a Gallatin Avenue convenience store Thursday afternoon, arresting two people for allegedly buying stolen alcohol and cigarettes.

Police arrested Ghazi Asfour, 58, and his wife, Basmah Hattar, 51, for knowingly paying $580 for more than $3,000 of merchandise represented as stolen alcohol and cigarettes. The two, who run the Spirit convenience store at 927 Gallatin Avenue, have been charged with counts of felony theft.

Detectives also said they also seized non-perishable items at the store as part of the investigation.