Police Catch Man Red-Handed Stealing Wheels From Dead Sea Vacationers' Cars

A man in his 20s from an outlying community near Dimona was arrested over the weekend after police caught him allegedly dismantling and stealing wheels from hotel guests’ cars in the Dead Sea area. The arrest came after a lengthy investigation into a series of property crimes in the region.

Police and security forces tracked the suspect’s identity and set up an ambush in a parking lot near the Dead Sea hotels. Officers say they saw him remove four wheels from a Toyota vehicle and load them into his own car. He was arrested immediately after completing the theft.

A search of the suspect’s vehicle found the wheels, which police believe had been stolen shortly before. The recovered items were seized for further legal proceedings, and the suspect was taken for questioning.

Arad station commander Lt. Col. Sahar Shaul said the operation was “professional, focused and determined,” adding that it led to the suspect’s arrest while the offense was still in progress. He said property crimes harm the public’s sense of security and quality of life.