Be'er Sheva Court Extends Remand in Vehicle Arson and Extortion Case
A Be'er Sheva court extended the remand of a Tarabin al-Sana resident suspected of torching vehicles in an extortion scheme. The 19-year-old was arrested upon returning from abroad.
The Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court has extended the remand of a resident from the village of Tarabin al-Sana by three days on suspicion of involvement in the deliberate torching of several vehicles over an attempted protection racket. The incident apparently involved a lot containing cars intended for dismantling. Authorities noted that around the same time in mid-September, another lot housing vehicles belonging to the Be'er Sheva municipality was also targeted by arson, shortly before Yom Kippur.
Investigation and Arrest
According to preliminary findings from the investigation launched shortly after the incidents, the arson was carried out using Molotov cocktails. The suspect allegedly arrived at the lot, hurled the incendiary devices, and caused the destruction of more than seven vehicles belonging to a single organization. Police have not yet disclosed details regarding the organization or whether the extortion demands targeted the organization itself or the lot owner.
"He was asked about specific dates, gave an alibi, and it will be investigated. He knows what dates he was asked about," stated police representatives during the hearing.
Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and brought the flames under control before they could spread to additional vehicles, though damages are estimated in the millions of shekels. The 19-year-old suspect was arrested by investigators from the Negev Yamar unit at Ben Gurion Airport upon his return from abroad. Police suspect he acted alongside accomplices, noting that another individual was arrested earlier in the week.
Legal Proceedings
During the remand extension hearing, the suspect's defense attorney, Lior Cohen from the Public Defender's Office, questioned whether his client was fully aware of the specific accusations against him, which he denies. Police prosecutor Ishet Issa maintained there is a direct link between the arson and the extortion plot, adding that the suspect provided an alibi that is currently under review.
Judge Orit Kuntz accepted the police request in part, ruling to extend the detention. "A review of the investigative material reveals a reasonable suspicion that the suspect committed the offenses attributed to him," she wrote, while noting that the suspicion is not at its highest threshold yet sufficient for this stage of the proceedings. The court also cited concerns regarding potential interference with the investigation and ordered the suspect held until Monday.