Soldier returned from Gaza, then faced a scam in Tel Aviv: "I will take out a knife and stab you"
A 41-year-old Tel Aviv resident is accused of approaching a combat soldier on leave and asking for a loan, claiming he had been in an accident. When the soldier withdrew money from an ATM, the defendant snatched thousands of shekels from his hands and fled. The soldier did not give up, started a foot chase, endured threats and an assault at the entrance to a bus, until the police arrived at the scene and arrested the robber, who tried to impersonate someone else.
A combat soldier who was on leave from his service in the Gaza Strip encountered a man on Ibn Gabirol Street in Tel Aviv, who told him that he had been in an accident and asked him for financial assistance. However, according to an indictment filed with the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, the request for help soon turned into an incident that included taking thousands of shekels, a threat of stabbing, a chase through the city streets, and an assault at the entrance to a bus.
According to the indictment filed against the 41-year-old Tel Aviv resident, the incident occurred at noon on Ibn Gabirol Street. The defendant approached a regular soldier who was at that time on leave from his combat service in the Gaza Strip and claimed to him that he had been in an accident and that he needed financial assistance. He asked him for 1,400 shekels in cash and promised, according to the charge, to transfer the full amount to him in return via the Bit app.
The soldier complied with the request and the two turned to a nearby Bank Hapoalim ATM. The soldier withdrew 2,000 shekels, but according to the indictment, the moment the defendant noticed the money, he took it and started walking away. The soldier followed him and demanded his money back, but the defendant refused. After the soldier asked that he at least return the difference from the amount he had requested initially, the defendant returned 500 shekels to him and continued on his way with 1,500 shekels in his possession. The soldier did not give up and continued to follow him, demanding the rest of his money. At this stage, it is alleged in the indictment, the defendant threatened him:
"I will take out a knife and stab you."
According to the indictment, even the threat did not cause the soldier to cease his demand. The defendant told him that he would enter a nearby store to charge his phone, so that he could later call him and transfer the money via Bit. The two entered the store together, but after some time the defendant left it without returning the money and continued walking. The soldier continued to follow him and simultaneously called the police.
In the next stage, it is alleged, the defendant boarded a taxi that was passing by, despite the driver's initial opposition. After convincing him, he traveled in the taxi for about 200 meters and got out, with the soldier continuing to keep him in sight and follow him. Later, the defendant boarded a bus that was passing by, and the soldier tried to board after him. According to the charge, at the entrance to the bus, the defendant attacked the soldier "in order to steal the amount," and pushed him with his hands in the chest. After that, the two left the bus and the foot chase continued.
Shortly thereafter, police officers who were summoned following the report arrived at the scene and arrested the defendant. However, according to the indictment, even after his arrest, the defendant tried to mislead the police and presented them with the name and ID number of another person. The indictment alleges that by his actions, the defendant took the money "by deception and without a claim of right in good faith," and he is also charged, as mentioned, with offenses of threats, assault to steal, and impersonating another person with the intent to defraud.
