Israeli Border Police Capture Head of Agricultural Theft Ring After 4-Kilometer Chase

A covert investigation by the Israeli Border Police (Magav) led to the arrest of the leader of an agricultural theft ring and two additional suspects in the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council area. The operation, named "Green Field," was launched following multiple reports of agricultural thefts in the region. The suspects, residents of the village of Surif in their 30s and 40s, were linked to a series of thefts involving a vehicle with fake license plates used to facilitate the crimes.

The investigation culminated last Wednesday with the arrest of the primary suspect at his home in Surif. The following day, intelligence led forces to locate the ring leader within Israeli territory. During a complex arrest operation involving units from Mateh Yehuda, Jerusalem Magav, the National Guard South, and the Israeli Police Air Unit, the suspect attempted to flee on foot. After a dramatic 4-kilometer chase, officers found him hiding in a tree, from which they successfully apprehended him.

Three suspects and the vehicle with counterfeit plates were seized and transferred to the Mateh Yehuda police station for further investigation. The police emphasized their ongoing commitment to combating agricultural thefts that harm local farmers' livelihoods. This case is part of a broader wave of agricultural thefts across Israel in recent months, including notable incidents such as the theft of 56 sheep from the Volcani Institute and the recovery of a stolen horse through social media efforts.

The police released footage of the arrest, highlighting the determination and coordination among various units to dismantle the theft ring and protect the agricultural community in the area.