Two men indicted for allegedly trying to car bomb rival gang

Attempt follows extended period of inter-gang violence between the two gangs.

DECEMBER 22, 2014 19:23

Car explodes in Israel (photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM) — Car explodes in Israel

(photo credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)

The Central District Attorney’s Office on Monday filed an indictment against two men allegedly from the same gang for trying to car-bomb rivals, who they believed had previously tried to car-bomb one of them.

Avraham Atias, 29 of Karnei Shomron, and Matanel Peri, 30 of Petah Tikva, were charged in the Lod District Court with an attempt to murder a member of David Shimul’s gang with a car bomb and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The background to the attempted car bombing: an unnamed individual (presumed by Atias to be a member of Shimul’s gang) tried to murder Atias on October 31 by attaching a powerful car bomb to his car parked in Petah Tikva, said the indictment.

Atias’s car exploded and the impact damaged nearby vehicles, with Atias dashing away in a narrow escape, according to the indictment.

This attempt followed what had already been an extended period of violence between the two gangs.

On November 6, Atias and Peri conspired to respond by car bombing “A.A.,” a member of Shimul’s gang, the indictment alleges.

They obtained 480 grams of TNT military explosive as well as 25 grams of metal nails to be included in the bomb, according to the indictment.

The bomb used an electrical Alpha Fire system, noted the indictment, and was hidden in a garbage can along with 1.88 kilograms of metal screws placed in a carton, in the parking garage where A.A. parked his car.

Around 11 a.m. on November 7, two neighbors of A.A. noticed the bomb and called the police.

Asked regarding to what extent allegations had been filed against Shimul’s gang or any other suspect who might have attempted to murder Atias.