2 more arrested in failed McDonald's extortion attempt
2 more arrested in faile
By BEN HARTMANmacdonalds jerusalem 248 88(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Galilee police on Monday arrested two additional suspects who allegedly attempted to extort millions of shekels from McDonald's Israel.
The suspects, both 22-year-old residents of Tira, are believed to have filmed a short video that they claimed showed deficient food safety standards at a McDonald's branch.
The two were brought before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court on Monday, where their remand was extended for three days. Police said neither man has a criminal record.
Last Friday, police arrested a man from Baka al-Gharbiya for orchestrating the extortion attempt, after he called McDonald's head office in Tel Aviv in what police believe was an attempt to extract money from the corporation under the threat of releasing the tape.
Under police guidance, McDonald's managers set up a meeting with the caller, agreeing to meet him at a Herzliya gas station on Friday. The caller, a 34-year-old man, was met by an undercover police officer who introduced himself as the corporation's deputy funds manager, and a second man who is a McDonald's employee.
The suspect allegedly showed the two men a video on his laptop of worms in the kitchen of a McDonald's branch. Police believe the tape to be a forgery.
In a written statement, McDonald's thanked the police for their swift handling of the "blackmailer," and maintained that the chain would cooperate fully with police in this and any other such matter.
The three suspects could face charges of conspiracy and aggravated extortion.
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