Report: Feds Seize Video of Houston Landmarks From Pakistani Suspect

August 10, 2004
From 11 News Staff Reports

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- A Pakistani man arrested in Charlotte, N.C. was carrying videotape of several landmarks in Houston, Austin and Dallas, according to a report in the Austin American Statesman.

Rudy Landeros, an assistant Austin police chief, told the newspaper that the suspicious videotape contained images of the State Capitol, the Governor's mansion and Mansfield Dam in Austin and several unidentified structures in Houston and Dallas.

FBI spokesman Bob Doguim in Houston confirmed they have received a copy of the videotape, but would not release other details about the contents of the tape.

The Pakistani suspect has been identified as Kamran Akhtar, 35. He also allegedly uses the alias Kamran Shaikh.
Akhtar was arrested two weeks ago in Charlotte after a police officer spotted him shooting videotape and acting suspiciously, according to the Statesman. The officer reportedly found problems with the Akhtar's immigration status and notified federal authorities. He is being held on minor immigration charges and no other charges have been filed.

Landeros told the Statesman the video and at least one other piece of evidence prompted federal authorities to issue a bulletin to local officers late last week.

The bulletin urges police to remain vigilant and instructs commanders to tell patrol officers to be on the lookout for suspicious activity, according to Landeros.

"Let's put it this way," Landeros told the Statesman. "It was enough to concern us. You have to consider all the news that is coming out throughout the nation. We aren't going to sit back."

Kathy Walt, spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry, told the newspaper Monday night: "We don't believe there is a credible threat against the State of Texas. Obviously, there is a concern when any situation crops up. But this individual is in custody."

Monday afternoon, more than 50 federal, state and local law enforcement officers and representatives from security firms for downtown Austin businesses met in a closed-door meeting to discuss the possibility of a terrorist threat, according to Landeros. He said an FBI agent showed the tape, which he said was not narrated and contained suspicious close-up shots.

"You have a person driving around Austin that is taking video footage of several locations, prominent locations in Austin, and they are being taken from various angels," Landeros told the newspaper.

Authorities aren't saying whether security has been beefed up at the locations on the videotape. There were no signs of increased security Monday night at the Capitol or Governor's Mansion, according to the Statesman.

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