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Police Seek Missing Local Businessman

Jamal Mohammed's 2008 Hummer H2 was found abandoned on Oct. 16 in the 700 block of East Hollywood Street with the keys inside, Tampa police said.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

TAMPA - Rachel Mohammed knows her husband of nine years wouldn't just wander off without a word.

Jamal Mohammed, 32, known as James or Jim, is an Air Force veteran, loving father and driven businessman. He moved to Florida from New York City three years ago to be his own boss and now manages two sandwich shops, an apartment complex and a nightclub, she said.

Jamal Mohammed

Why she hasn't heard from him in three weeks fills her with dread.

"It is completely out of his character to do anything that irresponsible. He is completely dedicated to his purpose and his ambition," Rachel Mohammed, 31, said Tuesday.

Tampa police said they suspect harm might have come to the businessman, who owns the nightclub Studio Inc. at 3603 W. Waters Ave.

His family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts, his wife said. Crime Stoppers also offered a $1,000 reward.

"I'm hoping with whatever shred of faith in me he's alive somewhere," she said.

Jamal Mohammed was last seen at his rental property, the Marina Apartments near North 50th Street and Busch Boulevard, about 3 p.m. Oct. 16, police said.

His wife said he often was busy managing the apartments, two Quiznos restaurants and the nightclub, which he has owned for about a year and a half.

Rachel Mohammed said her husband phoned her and sent her text messages earlier that day as usual, but after 12:30 that afternoon, she couldn't reach him.

That evening, his white 2008 Hummer H2 was found abandoned in the 700 block of East Hollywood Street with the keys and other valuables inside, police said.

The following day, he missed a 9 a.m. flight to New York City for a business trip, his wife said. No one has heard from him since.

"None of it makes sense. None of it," Rachel Mohammed said.

Police are perplexed as well. Cpl. Jared Douds, a police spokesman, said investigators are searching his trail through cell phone and financial records.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the disappearance to call police at (813) 231-6130 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 873-8477.

Records show Jamal Mohammed has no criminal record in Florida.

Rachel Mohammed said her husband seems to have had his wallet and cell phone with him when he vanished. Friends and relatives, including his parents, brother and sister, have canvassed the area where the Hummer was abandoned with fliers about him.

"We've gotten calls about people who saw him that Monday night but not on Tuesday. That's what's devastating. How does he just completely disappear?" she said.

The couple are high-school sweethearts who grew up in Queens, N.Y., she said. They have a 3-year-old son, Jaeden, who is asking where his father is.

"We're trying to mask it as best as possible," Rachel Mohammed said, noting she tries to keep her composure for her son's sake. "I hope his dad just shows up."

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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