Jerusalem Man's Detention Extended in Petah Tikva Boy's Kidnapping Case

A Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court has extended the detention of a 19-year-old Jerusalem resident for the fourth time as he is investigated for the kidnapping of 10-year-old Yahli Sofer from Petah Tikva. Police announced that the suspect is also believed to have committed crimes against two other children. The court permitted the publication of the suspect's name, but this decision is currently on hold pending an appeal.

The 10-year-old boy disappeared on Sunday evening, August 30th, prompting a large-scale police search utilizing technological resources. He was found by officers in Bnei Brak accompanied by the 19-year-old suspect. Both were taken to the Petah Tikva police station.

The boy reported that the suspect had been demanding money from playing children. When Yahli's friends fled, he stayed because the suspect claimed to have been kicked out of his home and be penniless. The suspect then allegedly used Yahli to collect alms, receiving 100 shekels from a passerby. Afterward, the suspect put Yahli on a bus and took him to Bnei Brak, where he bought the boy pizza and allegedly tried to persuade him to smoke.

Police also stated the suspect used a child's phone from a playground, later deleting the call log. The suspect's lawyer claims her client is disabled and has an intellectual disability. However, investigators are reportedly looking into similar alleged assaults on boys and girls in various parts of the country, believed to have been committed by the same suspect.