Police Strengthen Suspicion of Deliberate Hit-and-Run in Missing Man Case in Tel Aviv

The Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court extended the detention of two friends of Eldar Dayan, a 23-year-old missing man from Dimona, by three more days on Tuesday. The two suspects are believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run incident during a fight in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, as well as obstructing the investigation and threatening Dayan with murder. Police stated that the suspicion of a deliberate hit-and-run has intensified.

Senior Sergeant Yaniv Hindi, representing the police, described the case as complex and spanning multiple jurisdictions. The Negev District's Central Unit is investigating Dayan's disappearance, while the Central District's unit probes the hit-and-run incident. Both suspects have remained silent during questioning. Police also revealed that one person was injured in the incident.

Defense attorneys questioned why the case was transferred to the police prosecution department if suspicions had strengthened. Police clarified this was a technical matter and that the prosecution department had not yet actively engaged in the investigation. Hindi emphasized that the investigation into the disappearance is separate and ongoing, and that if links are found, further arrests and interrogations will follow.

The court ruled that there is strong reasonable suspicion against the suspects, supported by testimonies and a key document obtained after the last detention extension. The judge highlighted concerns about obstruction of justice and ordered the case to be transferred to the prosecution immediately, extending the suspects' detention until August 6.

Police believe Dayan is in hiding. He last communicated with his sister and girlfriend on July 16, mentioning some "trouble," and has since disappeared. A car belonging to one suspect's mother was found abandoned in Petah Tikva with a broken window and bloodstains, possibly linked to a hit-and-run. Investigators are exploring all leads, including whether the vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run and if any hospitalizations in central Israel relate to the case. The suspects gave conflicting accounts of the fight, and police continue to examine all possibilities, stressing this is not a typical missing person case.