[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The Israel Police spokesman for the central district reports two men are in custody as they posed as plumbers to gain entry to homes in Rishon L’Tzion, Nes Tziona and Rehovot, then robbing the homes of valuables.

As seen in the accompanying photos, police recovered stolen jewelry, cash and checkbooks. According to the police report, the men made off with hundreds of thousands of shekels, foreign currency, diamonds, a collection of jewelry, a Glock ® pistol and even a M16 assault rifle.

An undercover investigation led to the arrests of Y.A. (names on file), 36, from Rishon and E.C., 39, from Rehovot. During a number of months they allegedly robbed no less than 28 homes, usually gaining entry using a key they prepared in advance.

Police report the two posed to be plumbers coming to repair a leak from a nearby apartment. While in the apartment they did what they had to towards making a copy of the entrance key. In some of the cases, one kept the homeowner busy ‘fixing’ the plumbing issue, permitting the second to work on copying the key.

The two returned at a different time when no one was home, using the key to enter. They would then help themselves to valuables.

On November 2nd, after completing a theft in a home on Reuven Street in Rishon, police were there and made the arrest – apprehending the two with the stolen goods in hand. They were charged in a 28-count criminal indictment.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: Police Spokesman)