Fourth Suspect Arrested in Elite Navy Unit Arms Theft Case

Israeli police have arrested a fourth suspect in connection with the theft of assault rifles from an elite naval commando base in Atlit. Surafel Gaton, 27, from Netanya, with a criminal record, was apprehended at his home on Friday, the eve of Rosh Hashanah, on suspicion of involvement in the arms theft. He faces charges including arms theft, illegal possession of weapons, dealing in stolen weapons, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Gaton joins three other detainees: Amit Moyal, 27, from Eilat; Stav Avraham Tamam, 24, from Netanya; and Sergeant Rafael Shemesh, a soldier whose detention is being handled by a military court. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the police and military police.

During a hearing at the Haifa Magistrate's Court, a police representative stated that Gaton's role in the affair is "central." Gaton was arrested two days after an arrest warrant was issued for him on September 9. The investigator claimed Gaton's account does not align with the evidence and, in fact, strengthens it. The police declined to confirm whether the stolen weapons have been recovered.

Gaton's detention was extended until Thursday, September 17. On Thursday, the detentions of Moyal and Tamam were extended by five days, and Shemesh's detention was extended by seven days by the military court. The three are suspected of stealing three M4 rifles from the Shayetet 13 base in Atlit and conspiring to commit a crime.