Car thief arrested after chase, shots fired near Jerusalem

A 22-year-old Palestinian from Hebron was arrested over the weekend after a high-speed chase that began on Route 356 and ended with shots fired, an attempted ramming of a police vehicle, and a foot pursuit through an olive grove near Tekoa. The vehicle had been stolen from Jerusalem hours earlier.

The incident began during the night shift when police received a report of a vehicle stolen from Jerusalem travelling at high speed toward the Etzion area. Officers from Etzion station, together with IDF forces from the Etzion Regional Brigade, were immediately deployed and set up tactical roadblocks along the route.

When the driver of the stolen vehicle approached the police checkpoint, he spotted the flashing lights and the barrier. The suspect executed a sharp U-turn and began driving erratically toward the settlement of Tekoa. Police vehicles gave chase with sirens and repeated calls for him to stop, but the suspect ignored the warnings and continued his flight, endangering other road users and the pursuing officers.

During the chase, the driver attempted to ram the police vehicle in an effort to force it off the road. Facing an immediate threat to life, officers fired at the rear tyre of the vehicle. The shot hit its target: the tyre burst, the vehicle lost control, swerved sharply to the left, and came to a stop on a dirt patch.

The suspect abandoned the car, and fled on foot into a nearby olive grove under cover of darkness. Officers pursued him on foot through the orchard, following arrest protocols that included warning calls and shots fired into the air.

In a photograph released by the Israel Police spokesperson, the suspect is seen lying face down beside a massive Jerusalem stone wall, his hands cuffed behind his back. Two officers in full tactical gear, including armored vests, drawn weapons, and restraint equipment, are crouched over him, completing the arrest. To the right of the image, the white stolen vehicle is visible, tilted on its side on the dirt ground.

The suspect, a 22-year-old Palestinian resident of Hebron, was arrested at the scene and transferred for further criminal and security investigation at the police station. The recovered vehicle was towed from the scene, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Israel Police and the Judea and Samaria District emphasised that the ongoing fight against the stolen-vehicle industry will continue with all available tools and resources, with the aim of preventing risks to the security of civilians and officers in the field. The phenomenon of vehicle theft continues to occupy law enforcement, as stolen vehicles smuggled into Judea and Samaria can be used for serious criminal activity or hostile sabotage operations.