Arab suspects impersonating IDF soldiers arrested after robbing jewelry store in Hebron

The IDF announced Tuesday that three Arab suspects who impersonated soldiers and robbed stores in Dahariya, near Hebron, were arrested earlier this week.

The pursuit of the suspects began after a report was received about armed suspects operating in the area while impersonating IDF soldiers.

Videos from the scene apparently showed the suspects in the act of an armed robbery of a jewelry store, while carrying drawn weapons and wearing full military equipment. 

The police said that the suspects arrived in Dahariya in a vehicle disguised as a security vehicle and activated their "emergency lights."

The three came out of the vehicle dressed in military outfits and began terrorizing residents and business owners. After robbing the jewelry store, they fled south and were later arrested by the Israel Police. 

Upon their apprehension, police discovered three M-16 rifles and one pistol. 

"Security forces recently rushed to the Dahariya area of ​​the Judea region following a report received about armed suspects impersonating IDF soldiers and robbing stores in the area,” the IDF spokesman’s office said as the reports first came in. 

“We emphasize that these are not IDF soldiers,” the statement continued. 

Shortly after the report of the pursuit, security forces managed to arrest three suspects without incident. According to reports in Israeli media, one of those arrested was a Palestinian, while the other two are Israeli citizens. The Israel Police later said the suspects were Bedouins from the south of Israel. 

“Patrol officers from the Hebron station in the Judea District, along with Border Police and the IDF’s Judea Brigade, arrested three suspects, residents of southern Bedouin areas, as they fled the jewelry store after allegedly carrying out an armed robbery while impersonating armed security forces,” the police statement said. 

A number of various weapons were found on the arrested suspects that were confiscated by the forces," the IDF reported. The arresting officers also found the IDF-style uniforms worn by the suspects during the robberies. After their arrest, the suspects were transferred for further investigation by the Israel Police. 

Several other suspects involved in the robbery were arrested by security forces of the Palestinian Authority, Ynet reported. 

Some of the items stolen during the robbery were returned to the jewelry store owner in Dahariya, while police are continuing to search for items and weapons believed to have been taken by the group of robbers. 

Channel 14’s military correspondent Biton Rosen noted the significant level of threat to Israeli security forces, saying, “The incident is a red light flashing for the security system held captive in the framework of a deep conception. Without going into details, the terrorists' use of the specific vehicle they chose, the specific uniforms and military equipment, are very similar to those used by special units in similar and dangerous activities.” 

Eliram Azulay, head of the Hebron Hills Council, called for security services to confront the issue of illegal weapons within Judea and Samaria. 

“The IDF and police must address the flood of illegal weapons in the region. We can’t wait for the next disaster to realize that someone impersonating a soldier today may be planning tomorrow’s terror attack,” Azulay said.