24 thefts in a month: The suspect who terrorized AM:PM branches has been arrested
Ivan Zlozhin from Tel Aviv was filmed stealing time and again from the chain's branches in the city. His defense attorney argued that he is a homeless person and that his actions do not justify the arrest. His detention was extended until Sunday.
The AM:PM chain can breathe a sigh of relief. Ivan Zlozhin, 31, from Tel Aviv, suspected of committing no less than 24 thefts from the chain's branches across the city within a month, will remain in custody until Sunday. At the Lev Tel Aviv police station, they claim that Zlozhin's thefts were documented by security cameras, and in some cases, he even attacked security guards who tried to stop him. In one of the cases, according to the suspicion, he caused an injury to the hand of one of the security guards.
An arrest warrant was issued against Zlozhin on August 23, and he was arrested four days later. The police representative claimed that according to the investigation materials, the suspect is seen on camera in all the incidents stealing without fear. It was further claimed that the security guards identified the suspect and that there are also identification memos from police officers. Zlozhin has no criminal record.
On the other hand, Zlozhin's defense attorney, Marina Gladky from the Public Defender's Office, asked the court to carefully examine whether the multitude of incidents truly justifies continued detention. According to her, Zlozhin is a homeless person, and even if he stole "something small," this in itself does not constitute grounds for arrest. The attorney emphasized that this is a person with no criminal record, and argued that regarding the assault, there is documentation for only one incident. She further claimed that according to the suspect, no evidence was presented to him, and asked to consider his release under conditions or at the very least to shorten the detention period.
Judge Zipora Moshe determined that at the current stage there is sufficient evidentiary infrastructure regarding the theft offenses, but criticized the evidentiary material concerning the suspicions of assault.
"Regarding the assault offenses, it is at a very poor level," the judge wrote, adding that the investigating unit is expected to bolster the evidentiary material on the subject.
Despite the defense's arguments, she determined that there is no place to order Zlozhin's release at this stage. However, the judge rejected the police's request to extend his detention by five days and determined that the requested period is not proportional. Zlozhin's detention was extended until Sunday.
