New Vehicle Theft Ring Using Tow Trucks Uncovered in Southern Israel

Police in southern Israel have arrested a suspect in connection with a series of vehicle thefts in the community of Bnei Ayish, where thieves allegedly used tow trucks to remove stolen vehicles under the guise of legitimate towing.

Three vehicles and a "razor" (likely an all-terrain vehicle) were stolen on Monday. Investigators suspect that two tow trucks were used to transport the vehicles out of the community, possibly via the Na'alin crossing. The investigation began on September 14th following reports of multiple vehicle thefts in Bnei Ayish.

On Tuesday evening, police received a tip that one of the suspected tow trucks had returned to Bnei Ayish, allegedly to steal two more vehicles. Patrol officers and combat soldiers from the Sahar brigade were dispatched to the scene. They located and arrested a suspect, and the tow truck was seized.

The arrested suspect is being questioned regarding their involvement in the previous thefts. The use of tow trucks for vehicle theft is not a new tactic; in a previous case, thieves allegedly disabled security cameras and tracking devices before loading a stolen Lamborghini onto a tow truck and escaping.