Tefillin theft: Man arrested for yeshiva break-in in Tel Aviv

Security footage of the theft (Photo: Israel Police spokesperson)

A Tel Aviv man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of breaking into a yeshiva on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv and stealing approximately ten pairs of tefillin worth tens of thousands of shekels, a mobile phone, a watch, cash and a tzedakah box. Over the past weekend, Tel Aviv police filed an indictment against him along with a request for remand until the end of proceedings.

According to the indictment, on 29 October 2026, around 21:30, the suspect broke through the entrance door of the yeshiva on Rothschild Boulevard. He stole approximately ten pairs of tefillin valued at around 2,500 shekels per pair, a mobile phone worth approximately 2,000 shekels, a watch, cash, and a charity box containing cash.

Investigative work carried out by officers from the Lev Tel Aviv station in the Yarkon district led to the identification of the suspect. On 3 November 2026, he was arrested, questioned, and at the conclusion of his interrogation, remanded in custody.

Following the completion of the investigation, the prosecutions unit of Tel Aviv District Police filed an indictment for breaking into a non-residential building and theft, along with a request to remand the suspect until the end of proceedings.

Police previously reported the arrest of two suspects who broke into a vehicle in Or Yehuda and stole 29,900 shekels in cash and tefillin. In that case, the suspects were identified following an undercover investigation with the collection of evidence and findings.

The Israel Police spokesperson stated that police will continue to act decisively against property crimes, including break-ins to places of worship, and to pursue the full extent of the law against those who commit them.