American-Israeli arrested in ‘masked robber’ bank heists

An Israeli man originally from the United States was arrested on suspicion that he had carried out a string of armed robberies during which he apparently wore skin-like masks and gloves to hide his identity, police said Wednesday.

The robberies were carried out over a the past few years in the Tel Aviv area and central region of the country.

Police said the suspect, 26, was being held in connection with seven robberies at banks, jewelry shops and currency exchange kiosks.

The man was arrested July 18 on Yehoshua Hankin Street in Holon after the owner of a currency exchange kiosk noticed the suspect observing the premises and became suspicious. The suspect was also recorded on CCTV cameras, a police statement said.

Adding to the sharp-eyed kiosk owner’s suspicions was the fact that the man appeared to be in possession of a gun.

Within minutes of receiving the kiosk owner’s call, officers rushed to the scene, police said. However, the suspect, apparently realizing he had been spotted, tried to escape by boarding a bus. Police gave chase and flagged down the vehicle as it headed toward Sokolov Street.

When confronted by cops, the suspect first pretended he could only speak English; however, a search of his person uncovered an Israeli identity card as well as a pair of eyeglasses that matched those worn by the perpetrator of the various robberies, as seen in security camera footage.

Officers detained the man and searched his home, where they found face masks and gloves, designed to look like human skin, that were allegedly used during bank robberies in Tel Aviv. They also found pistols, as well as clothes that he is suspected to have worn during the crimes, the statement said.

The suspect’s remand has already extended once and police said they intend to bring him to Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court for a further extension on Wednesday as the investigation continues.