Jerusalem Police Foil Car Theft Attempt, Arrest Two Suspects

Jerusalem District Police thwarted a car theft attempt in the Beit Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem early Wednesday morning, arresting two suspects found inside the vehicle. The main suspect was apprehended in the driver's seat, wearing a traditional fringed garment known as a tzitzit, with the car's front window shattered. The incident occurred around 3:00 AM during a targeted operation by the Moriah police station aimed at preventing car thefts in the area. Patrol officers noticed a car parked with its lights off for an extended period, which raised their suspicion. The officers blocked the vehicle with a police car and conducted a check. They discovered the small front window was broken and a suspect, dressed in a tzitzit, was in the driver's seat. Another suspect was seated next to him, and a car computer was found on the back seat. Both were arrested at the scene. Authorities also seized several items from the suspects, including the car computer, a duplicate key, the main suspect's Arabic-language phone, and what is suspected to be cannabis found in the female suspect's purse. The suspects, aged 35 to 40 and residents of Jerusalem and Afula, were brought before a judge on Wednesday. The court extended their detention until Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the request of the investigative unit. Police stated their intention to prosecute the suspects to the fullest extent of the law. This incident is part of increased police activity against car thefts and break-ins in Jerusalem and its surroundings in recent weeks. The police have recently foiled other attempts, including a home invasion in Jerusalem and a significant cash theft from a vehicle in Or Yehuda.