Motorcyclist Arrested in Netivot After Striking and Injuring Police Officer
A 23-year-old motorcyclist in Netivot was arrested after severely injuring a female police officer during a confrontation. The officer underwent surgery at Soroka Medical Center, and a Beersheba court extended the suspect's detention by four days.
A 23-year-old motorcyclist who drove recklessly in Netivot was arrested following an altercation that resulted in a female police officer being struck, injured, and requiring surgery.
Incident Overview and Confrontation
The incident began when the suspect executed a dangerous overtaking maneuver, riding on the right shoulder and nearly colliding with a car. Claiming the driver had endangered his life, the motorcyclist followed the vehicle to the home of the driver's sister—an off-duty police officer—where he began shouting threats at the occupants.
Alerted by the commotion, the officer stepped outside, identified herself, and ordered the suspect to turn off his engine. When he refused and continued shouting, she informed him that he was under arrest. As she placed her hands on the motorcycle's handlebars, the suspect revved the engine, kicked her, and attempted to flee, striking and severely injuring her.
"The suspect hit a police officer and caused severe injuries, threatened her and others, and assaulted those present during the incident," police stated in the remand request.
Court Proceedings and Remand
МАDA (Magen David Adom) ambulances evacuated the injured officer to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where she was hospitalized and subsequently underwent surgery. The suspect was brought before the Beersheba Magistrate's Court on Friday for a remand extension hearing.
Investigator Leonid Grinshpun presented video footage of the incident to Judge Yariv Ben David, requesting an eight-day extension. Defense attorney Taher Al-Makhawi argued that his client was merely trying to escape a hostile crowd that had gathered around him.
Judge Ben David ruled that the evidence established a reasonable suspicion of the offenses, noting concerns over witness tampering and public safety. The court extended the suspect's detention by four days.
