Jenin resident arrested on suspicion of stealing Tel Aviv district judge's car

Officers from the Tel Aviv North police station who located the vehicle began following it, while officers from the Glilot station were called to prepare to block its path on Highway 5.

A 46-year-old Jenin resident was arrested on suspicion of stealing the car of Tel Aviv District Court Judge Alaa Masarwa from northern Tel Aviv on Sunday morning.

Shortly after the vehicle was stolen, it was located traveling north on the Ayalon Highway. Police pursued the vehicle and arrested Tarek Jarrar, a Jenin resident who was staying in Israel without a permit, on suspicion of stealing it.

Officers from the Tel Aviv North police station who located the vehicle began following it, while officers from the Glilot station were called to prepare to block its path on Highway 5.

When the driver reached the police checkpoint, officers ordered him to stop. According to police suspicions, he did not comply, struck another vehicle, and continued driving.

Police continued pursuing him until they managed to stop the vehicle.

Body camera footage showed officers approaching the car. When the driver did not respond to their instructions, police smashed the driver's window and removed him from the vehicle. The driver was then identified as Jarrar.

Suspect claims he did not know car was stolen

During questioning, Jarrar claimed that he did not know the judge's vehicle had been stolen. According to his account, another person sold him the car, and he believed there was nothing suspicious about the vehicle.

Police suspect Jarrar of vehicle theft, intentionally damaging a vehicle, driving without a license, and driving without insurance.

During a hearing to extend his detention at the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, Jarrar's defense attorney argued that he had entered Israel to look for work due to financial difficulties faced by his family in Jenin.

According to his attorney, another person gave Jarrar the vehicle, and he did not know it had been stolen. During the hearing, the defense attorney asked the court to send him for a psychiatric examination.

Judge's vehicle returned as investigation continues

The vehicle was returned to Masarwa, while police continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the theft and subsequent chase.

Judge Ravit Peleg Bar Dayan extended Jarrar's detention until September 8, 2026.