Drama in Ofarim: Stolen vehicle breaks through checkpoint and suspect arrested
A driver of a stolen vehicle broke through the checkpoint at the entrance to Ofarim, abandoned the car, and fled on foot. Residents were instructed to shelter in place, and after a pursuit, the suspect was captured and taken for interrogation.
An unusual incident occurred on Saturday in the settlement of Ofarim after a driver of a stolen vehicle broke through the checkpoint at the entrance to the settlement, abandoned the car, and fled on foot. Following the incident, an alert was activated in the Home Front Command app regarding a fear of terrorist infiltration, and security forces were summoned to the scene to begin searches.
At a certain stage during the pursuit, a security officer of the settlement performed a suspect arrest procedure. Initially, he fired into the air, and subsequently fired towards the suspect. After that, the suspect, a resident of the territories, was captured and transferred for interrogation.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit stated during the incident:
"A short while ago, an alert was activated in the Home Front Command app regarding a fear of terrorist infiltration in the settlement of Ofarim in the Binyamin Brigade. The details of the incident are under review. The IDF is in constant contact with the residents and security forces in the area."
In parallel, the council published a message to the residents asking them to remain in their homes while security forces worked to locate the suspect. "Dear residents, a short while ago a driver in a stolen vehicle broke into Ofarim. Security forces are currently conducting searches for the suspect. We ask residents to refrain from leaving their homes until further notice, not to approach the area of the incident, and to report immediately any suspicious person or movement," the message stated.
Suspect captured after pursuit
Head of the Beit Aryeh-Ofarim Council, Sharon Alfasi, stated in a conversation with "Maariv" that the incident ended with the arrest of the suspect. "A car thief who broke through the checkpoint at the entrance to the settlement of Ofarim drove over spikes and continued running in an attempt to escape into the settlement. Security forces of the council and police officers pursued him, and right now he has been arrested and transferred for interrogation," he said.
A resident of Ofarim told "Maariv" about the moments when the alert was received: "We received an alarm on the phone about a fear of terrorist infiltration. The standard procedure in such a case is to lock doors and close windows. We see patrol cars speeding on the road here, but we haven't been updated on anything."
