A police investigation of vandalism to tombstones in an Ashdod beis hachaim has led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male, who according to police has admitted to being connected to the incidents. The man, who appears to be a member of the chareidi community, was remanded and is the primary suspect in the case, accused of smashing and/or damaging tombstones.

After a number of incidents cameras were installed in the beis hachaim. Unfortunately the photos of the suspect were not clear enough to make an arrest but detective Kfir Edri pursued the case and after gathering fingerprint evidence and the camera photos, police made the arrest.

Police report the suspect showed them which stones he damaged, and this afforded him the opportunity to explain he only targeted tombstones with pictures since this was prohibited by halacha, prompting him to act to prevent causing suffering to the niftar.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)