"I will arrive with people and set the house on fire": Violent extortion campaign in Holon
The prosecution filed a serious indictment against a 22-year-old from Lod who threatened a 60-year-old Holon resident over a 3,000 NIS loan. Despite the debt being repaid with interest, the suspect and his accomplices broke into the apartment, used tear gas, stabbed the woman's son, and threatened to burn the home down.
A serious indictment was filed in court against a 22-year-old man from Lod, charging him with extortion by threats, wounding under aggravating circumstances, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
According to the indictment, the complainant, a 60-year-old resident of Holon, borrowed 3,000 shekels from unidentified parties, with funds transferred through the defendant. Although she subsequently repaid 5,500 shekels—a sum 2,500 shekels higher than the principal—the defendant claimed the payments "had not yet covered the debt," leading to a violent collection campaign.
According to the first charge, the defendant arrived at the woman's apartment on HaTanaim Street in Holon while she was with her son and his partner. When the son offered to pay 200 shekels, the defendant threatened:
"If you don't have the full amount, I'm taking the TV. Do you want trouble? I will arrive with more people."
The defendant left and returned shortly after with companions. He entered the apartment and sprayed tear gas, while his accomplices sprayed gas through the shutters. He then grabbed a knife from the apartment and wounded the son in the arm. The attackers fled only after the mother threatened to call the police.
According to the second charge, a week later, the defendant returned with another person. When the complainant explained she had no money, the defendant lit matches, threw them at her, and threatened:
"If you don't repay the loan, I will set the apartment on fire."
His accomplice threw burning cigarettes at her and demanded her mobile phone as collateral, which she refused. The two entered the home, banged on tables, threatened to spray pepper spray in her eyes, and attempted to seize the TV and DVD player. They left empty-handed only after the complainant begged for her life and promised to obtain the money.
