BREAKING Shopkeeper lacking since 2020 turns up ‘secure and nicely’ days after homicide arrests

A shopkeeper who vanished five years ago has resurfaced just days after five individuals were arrested in connection with his “murder”.

Ismail Ali, who disappeared in 2020, has suddenly turned up “safe and well” at a police station, according to the authorities. Ismail mysteriously disappeared on May 29, 2020, last seen leaving his place of work on Cumberland Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire.

His unexpected reappearance comes shortly after three women, aged 47, 54, and 55, and two men, aged 27 and 51, were arrested on suspicion of his alleged murder on Monday following police raids. Detectives working on his missing person case confirmed today that he showed up at a police station yesterday, declaring himself safe and sound. Ismail’s family has been informed, and he is currently being “safeguarded” by the police while they conduct necessary checks.

On Monday, West Yorkshire Police reported that they had confiscated a substantial sum of money from three properties, with several of those arrested now out on bail for money laundering offences.

A spokesperson stated: “Officers are working to understand the full circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

“Mr Ali’s family have been notified that he has been found safe and well and is being safeguarded whilst necessary checks are being made.

“Following the arrests on Monday, house searches were carried out at three properties and a large amount of cash was seized. A number of the people who were arrested remain on bail for money laundering offences.

“Enquiries will remain ongoing for some time into the money laundering offences. Officers would like to thank members of the public who shared the appeal for Mr Ali.”

A blade-wielding attacker repeatedly knifed a man in a Tesco car park following a heated confrontation.

Pavel Stefanovic launched his vicious assault after being approached by a fellow Lithuanian inside the Meir Park store. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was told the pair stepped outside where Stefanovic whipped out a Stanley knife and slashed at his victim, leaving him with multiple wounds including cuts to his hand, arm, legs and nose.

Stefanovic, 39, of Charnwood Road, Meir, has now been jailed for 29 months – a sentence that makes deportation likely. Prosecutor Jamie Scott revealed the victim was shopping in Tesco with his wife on the afternoon of December 30, 2022 when he recognised the defendant from a YouTube video.

They started chatting and the man asked if Stefanovic would prefer to converse in Russian, reports Stoke on Trent Live.

Mr Scott said: “Stefanovic became more aggressive. He asked, ‘What do you want from me?’ and asked if they could talk outside. The couple, having bought their shopping, went to the car park. The defendant was waiting for them. They make their way towards foliage on the perimeter of the car park. The defendant encouraged the other man to follow him there. He said he would explain everything there.

“The wife followed. She saw Stefanovic holding a knife concealed under his sleeve. As they reached the foliage Stefanovic revealed that knife to the man when his back was turned to him. The man’s wife screamed. The man turned around. Stefanovic swung the knife towards the man’s face. The victim held up his hand defensively and Stefanovic slashed the man’s left palm. He stabbed the man’s right forearm and right leg and he cut the man’s jacket.

“Stefanovic threatened to cut the married couple into pieces and to kill them. He appeared to notice other members of the public had noticed what was going on and they were going to call the authorities. As a result he began to move away.

“The wife called her sons and they arrived. Stefanovic found himself surrounded by the victim and his family. He was still holding the knife and threatening to kill them.

“The police arrived and by that time Stefanovic had been in a car park with a knife brandished and used for more than 20 minutes. Only at that point did he drop the knife. It was seized. It was a Stanley knife. He was arrested. He had a second Stanley knife in his pocket which he did not produce.”