Tel Aviv Security Guard Recounts Violent Robbery by Teenager

A 66-year-old security guard in Tel Aviv, Andy Spitzer, described a terrifying robbery where he was attacked and choked by a teenager who stole his mobile phone. Spitzer was beginning his routine shift at a building on Yehuda Halevi Street when he heard a commotion outside. He saw a young man shouting threats at passersby, demanding a phone, and wielding a metal ashtray.

The assailant then turned his attention to Spitzer, allegedly attacking him with a stick, grabbing him by the head, and choking him before snatching his phone and fleeing. Spitzer recounted his fear and surprise during the assault, shouting for his phone back as the attacker ran towards Discount Bank.

Passersby who had been threatened earlier by the suspect had already alerted the police, who arrived within five minutes. Spitzer, who has worked as a building guard for several years, stated this was the first time he had experienced such an incident at his workplace.

Despite the suspect's arrest, Spitzer expressed lingering fear about returning to work on Wednesday, worried the assailant might be released and seek him out again. The incident occurred on Sunday night, and the suspect, identified as a minor, was apprehended by police shortly after.