Bedouin Gang That Terrorized Negev Merchants Busted

Members of a criminal gang who had robbed stores, stolen cars and threatened storekeepers were caught as they were robbing a supermarket, police announced. They were arrested last Thursday, and their remand was extended by a Be’er Sheva court.

Four of the gang were arrested in the incident. All are from the southern Bedouin village of Tel Sheva.

In recent months, the gang has been responsible for dozens of robberies, especially from supermarkets and grocery stores. The gang seemed unstoppable, and brazenly broke through all defensive strategies implemented by shopkeepers, including metal barriers and security cameras.

Among the favorite targets of the gang were packets of cigarettes, as well as bank machines and safes. Police caught the gang Thursday night emptying an Ofakim market of cigarettes, and attempting to move a safe that was anchored in the ground out of its place and into a waiting van. The suspects were surprised by police, who had been lying in wait for them, and attempted to resist arrest, but were subdued.

Police expect to be able to make further arrests after interrogations of the detainees are complete.