Police Seize Illegally Armored Cars Used by Criminals in Northern Israel
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police seized two illegally armored vehicles near Nazareth.
- The vehicles were modified to be bulletproof, posing a public danger.
- The modifications cost tens of thousands of shekels.
- This is the second such seizure in a week.
- Police are intensifying efforts against criminal vehicle modifications.
Northern District Police and Border Guard officers have, for the second time in a week, discovered vehicles illegally equipped with ballistic protection near Nazareth. The cars were seized during proactive operations aimed at combating crime and lawbreakers. According to the Israel Police, forces are employing various methods against vehicles that undergo illegal structural modifications, posing a risk to other road users. The operation specifically targets vehicles used by criminal organizations that present a public danger.
The first incident occurred on September 25, 2026, when a Jeep was found and confiscated. It had been fitted with various components in violation of traffic laws to make it bulletproof. Just five days later, on September 30, 2026, forces raided an unoccupied structure after receiving intelligence that a vehicle linked to criminals from Nazareth was being held there. Upon arrival, officers confirmed the vehicle was present and had undergone structural changes valued at tens of thousands of shekels, illegally transforming it into an armored car.
Both vehicles were impounded and taken to a police station for evidence processing to identify their owners. Following legal proceedings, police intend to request their confiscation. The Israel Police stated, "The Israel Police is engaged in its determined and uncompromising fight against lawbreakers with all available means and will continue enforcement against criminals who install protective equipment, as this is heavy armor installed illegally and significantly affects the vehicle's road performance and its potentially fatal danger to other road users."
Approximately six months prior, on November 5, 2025, another armored vehicle was seized by Northern District police on Highway 6. The driver, a Nazareth resident, was operating the vehicle without a valid license. The car had been fitted with protective plates and steel panels, adding about 400 kilograms to its original weight. A indictment was filed against the driver in the Nazareth Traffic Court, along with a request for the vehicle's confiscation.
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