Police catch homicide suspect in barn after 12-day manhunt

Officers arrest Bilal Sara on suspicion of killing Safed resident Udi Stern, who died after being injured in brawl over money

By ToI Staff 17 January 2023, 1:37 am

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Murder suspect Bilal Sara seen in an image released by police on January 15, 2023. (Israel Police)

After 12 days of intensive searches, police on Monday announced the arrest of a suspect for murdering a man in the northern city of Safed.

“The manhunt after Bilal Sara, the suspect in the murder of Udi Stern… is over,” a police statement said.

Stern, 31, was fatally hurt during a fight that broke out earlier this month over a financial dispute.

Police suspect Sara struck Stern in the head with a crowbar during the brawl. Stern returned home afterward and was later found dead there, apparently as a result of the blow to the head.

According to the police statement, officers located Sara hiding in a barn in the nearby Arab town of Rameh following extensive search efforts.

The suspect is due to appear before a court on Tuesday for a remand hearing.

The arrest came a day after police released a picture of Sara and asked the public to come forward with any information that could lead to his capture.

The force also warned Sunday that anyone caught aiding him faced up to three years behind bars.