A police representative conducting the hearing revealed that Yehali provided investigators this week with new details that did not emerge in his initial testimony, and that this updated account significantly reinforces the suspicions against the detainee.
According to the police representative, at a certain point during the incident the suspect led the boy into a closed shelter, from which the young child managed to escape while the suspect began running after him, Ynet reported.
The ordeal ended when an alert citizen spotted the boy wandering the streets of Bnei Brak and summoned police forces to the scene. The suspect has claimed during interrogation that he encountered the boy by chance walking lost in the street, and that his sole intention was merely to help him return home safely.
Beyond the central kidnapping case that shook the country approximately two weeks ago, the police representative updated the court that since the affair became public, additional complaints have arrived at police stations from parents of children who identified the suspect as someone who harmed their children in the past. The investigation reveals suspicion of two additional incidents involving harassment, threats, and even possession of a knife.
Among other things, an incident that occurred several months ago in Hadera was presented, in which the suspect is suspected of locating the residence of two minors, waiting for them outside their home, and causing them to fear leaving it. Police argued before the court that although there is no direct overlap between the incidents, the new collection of cases points to a consistent pattern of behavior and indicates significant danger to the public.
The judge urged police to complete all necessary investigative actions and file an indictment as soon as possible if the evidentiary foundation justifies it.
