A serious indictment was filed today (Sunday) against a 32-year-old man, a resident of Nazareth, for offenses of extortion, firearms firing and a demand for payment of NIS 2 million from a business owner in Iksal in the north of the country.
At the same time, the police asked the court to extend his detention until the end of the proceedings.
The investigation began following a shooting at the victim's office, from which it emerged that the defendant arrived at the office and initially demanded that the victim pay an extortion fee in the amount of approximately NIS 400,000.
But during the meeting between the two, the clerk came into the office and asked if they wanted coffee, and when the victim replied that it was unnecessary, the suspect got upset and said: "Because you told her not to prepare you will pay another half a million, and because you are cheeky and ask questions you will pay two million today".
A few minutes later the defendant returned armed with a gun, and while driving towards the scene he fired his vehicle and fled the scene.
The office was damaged.
In a quick response to the shooting incident, the police set up roadblocks and after several hours the police captured the vehicle containing the suspect.
Photo of the vehicle that led to the arrest of the suspect in extortion and threats against a business owner in Ixal // Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman
The Israel Police stated that it "works against criminals in many areas, with special emphasis on offenses of extortion by threats against business owners, who find themselves not only under the burden of running a self-employed business, but also in a situation where they and their families are threatened and damage is done to their businesses and property. The private.