Neighbors Stunned By Arrest Of Sacramento Terror Suspect
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – The local Iraqi refugee arrested on terror-related charges remains locked up as of Saturday night.
But we're getting a closer look at the life of Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab through his neighbors.
Neighbors say Al-Jayab lived in a small Sacramento apartment with relatives, but say he kept to himself. Al-Jayab is still in jail, held without bail in this terror case.
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"You never know who you live next door to," neighbor Linda Phillips said.
Phillips says she was stunned to hear the terrorist allegations against the man she lived next-door to.
Investigators say Al-Jayab, a 23-year-old Iraqi refugee, left the U.S. in 2013 to fight with rebel groups in Syria, only to return to the states a few months later.
"The people were very nice," Phillips said.
She says Al-Jayab lived in a second-story apartment in Sacramento's Arden Arcade area with relative, possibly an aunt or stepmother. Phillips also saw Al-Jayab's 19-year-old brother Sameer.
Al-Jayab's brother was arrested on unrelated charges in connection with alleged stolen iPhone and other electronics in Milwaukee. He was released from Sacramento County Jail Saturday morning.
"The FBI does not show up every day," neighbor David Radtke said.
Radtke was there when FBI agents raided Al-Jayab's apartment.
MORE: Local Muslims Distancing Themselves From Terror Suspect
"They weren't here with guns drawn or anything. It wasn't those FBI," Radtke said. "It was just the evidence collection group. Just computer stuff and a little bit of paperwork."
Jacolye White lives in the building and attended American River College where officials say Al-Jayab was a student, majoring in computer science. He says he never once interacted with Al-Jayab, but noticed his stylish look.
"He dresses pretty hip and stuff like that, you know as far as keeping up with the trends," White said.
That flashy style was also apparent on Al-Jayab's Facebook page, where pictures show him posing with flashy cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.
It's an image that conflicts with the one investigators paint – a student living in Sacramento accused of having ties to the Islamic State and other militant groups.
Al-Jayab's relatives were not home Saturday night. We haven't been able to make contact with them.
His brother is set to appear at a Milwaukee courtroom Monday morning.