Ashdod Man Arrested for Smuggling Illegal Immigrants and Attempting to Run Over Police Officer

On June 21, 2026, a routine vehicle inspection by Modiin police officers escalated into a chase that ended in Ashdod. The driver, suspected of transporting two illegal immigrants, allegedly tried to run over a police officer who approached the vehicle for a check. Despite shots fired at his car's tires, the driver fled southward. Using technological tracking, police followed the suspect's route and located the vehicle entering Ashdod. Detectives from Modiin and Ashdod stations conducted searches, arrested the driver near his brother's home, and found an additional illegal immigrant at the brother's residence, suspected of working at a construction site there. The driver was charged with smuggling illegal immigrants, attempted assault on a police officer, and fleeing the scene. His brother was also arrested on suspicion of employing an illegal immigrant. Three illegal immigrants were detained in total, and the driver's car was seized for investigation. The suspects were brought to court to extend their detention.