Mobster's Low-Rider: Casey Szaflarski Fights For Hybrid Car Seized Amid Burglary Charges
In a peculiar twist of law enforcement and organized crime, Casey Szaflarski, a reputed mob figure charged with burglary in Kane County, is now embroiled in a battle to regain his hybrid vehicle. A silver 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, valued at $4,500, has been held by police since its seizure amid the January 2025 arrest.
Szaflarski's attorney claims that there was no probable cause for the stop and arrest, citing issues with service of process in court documents filed to try and retrieve his vehicle. The mobster also argues that forfeiting the property would be an excessive fine under the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a provision intended to bar cruel and unusual punishment.
Prosecutors want the hybrid kept by authorities, citing its connection to the alleged crime. Records show that the vehicle was observed next to another car involved in the burglary, further linking it to the offense. The court has scheduled a hearing for later this month on the vehicle's fate, with the case currently stalled until Szaflarski's criminal trial concludes.
Szaflarski is no stranger to high-profile cases, having been convicted in 2010 as part of a federal racketeering case portraying him as a mob video poker kingpin. The charges marked an era of federal crackdowns on organized crime, with John "No Nose" DiFronzo and his associates facing significant losses.
The hybrid's unique feature – electric motors that produce little noise at low speeds – has sparked curiosity about the vehicle's owner's motivations for purchasing such a quiet ride. While some might view this as an unusual choice for a high-stakes player, others see it as a sign of more than meets the eye.
As the battle for Szaflarski's hybrid rages on, law enforcement is keen to remind that despite the resurgence of organized crime in recent years, authorities are actively working to dismantle its structures. The recent focus on regulated video gaming has seen major blows to the mob over the past two decades, but their presence remains.
With a hearing scheduled for later this month, Szaflarski's efforts to regain his vehicle serve as a reminder that even in the most high-profile cases, the fight for specific property can outlast and outcompete more traditional pursuits.
In a peculiar twist of law enforcement and organized crime, Casey Szaflarski, a reputed mob figure charged with burglary in Kane County, is now embroiled in a battle to regain his hybrid vehicle. A silver 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, valued at $4,500, has been held by police since its seizure amid the January 2025 arrest.
Szaflarski's attorney claims that there was no probable cause for the stop and arrest, citing issues with service of process in court documents filed to try and retrieve his vehicle. The mobster also argues that forfeiting the property would be an excessive fine under the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a provision intended to bar cruel and unusual punishment.
Prosecutors want the hybrid kept by authorities, citing its connection to the alleged crime. Records show that the vehicle was observed next to another car involved in the burglary, further linking it to the offense. The court has scheduled a hearing for later this month on the vehicle's fate, with the case currently stalled until Szaflarski's criminal trial concludes.
Szaflarski is no stranger to high-profile cases, having been convicted in 2010 as part of a federal racketeering case portraying him as a mob video poker kingpin. The charges marked an era of federal crackdowns on organized crime, with John "No Nose" DiFronzo and his associates facing significant losses.
The hybrid's unique feature – electric motors that produce little noise at low speeds – has sparked curiosity about the vehicle's owner's motivations for purchasing such a quiet ride. While some might view this as an unusual choice for a high-stakes player, others see it as a sign of more than meets the eye.
As the battle for Szaflarski's hybrid rages on, law enforcement is keen to remind that despite the resurgence of organized crime in recent years, authorities are actively working to dismantle its structures. The recent focus on regulated video gaming has seen major blows to the mob over the past two decades, but their presence remains.
With a hearing scheduled for later this month, Szaflarski's efforts to regain his vehicle serve as a reminder that even in the most high-profile cases, the fight for specific property can outlast and outcompete more traditional pursuits.
The whole thing seems kinda fishy if you ask me... like, what's really going on with this hybrid car? 
Is it just a coincidence that it was next to another car involved in the burglary? 
I mean, Szaflarski's got some serious connections, but still, this all feels a bit too convenient. And what's up with the noise thing? Like, did he really need an electric hybrid for, you know, "mob reasons"? 
The more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to side with Szaflarski's lawyer on this one... gotta keep a close eye on this case though! 