Schererville Man, Smoke Shop Owner, Charged With Sexual Battery
The owner of a Cedar Lake smoke shop has been arrested after a female employee told police he assaulted her inside the business.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on August 21, 2025, police were called after a 24-year-old woman reported that her boss, 58-year-old Habeeb Habeeb, had assaulted her while she was working at Cedar Lake Tobacco, Vape, and Cig on Wicker Avenue.
The woman told investigators that Habeeb became upset with her over how she stocked a new vape product. She stated he grabbed her by the hair, pulled her into his office, slammed her face on a desk, and forced her to pull down her pants. She reported he then struck her buttocks ten times, made her count each one, and took a photo of the injuries before leaving to attend to a customer. She later showed police photos of redness on her skin.
Police reviewed security footage from the business. Video reportedly showed Habeeb leading the woman into his office by her hair, ordering her to pull down her pants, and striking her while she counted. The footage also showed Habeeb later attempting to kiss her, wrapping an arm around her, and groping her buttocks behind the counter. He then spent about an hour with her in his office before she left.
When questioned, Habeeb admitted to striking the woman and taking a photo of her injuries but denied any sexual relationship. He claimed they were simply talking in his office and suggested she left early with money for food. Investigators also found a hidden folder on Habeeb’s phone containing a photo of the woman’s injuries and other images taken from a TikTok video of her in lingerie .
Charges filed August 22, 2025:
• Criminal Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
• Sexual Battery – touches another person’s genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or (Level 6 Felony)
• Sexual Battery – touches another person’s genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or (Level 6 Felony)
Currently lodged in the Lake County Jail
