Security guard shot dead in Be’er Ya’acov bank heist

Bank robber opens fire on guard during heist; gunman flees on motorbike; police mobilized, using helicopter to find suspect.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Police car in Tel Aviv at night 311 (photo credit: Yoni Cohen)
Police car in Tel Aviv at night 311
(photo credit: Yoni Cohen)
A security guard was shot dead during a heist of a branch of Bank Hapoalim in town of Be’er Ya’acov, between Ness Ziona and Ramle, on Monday evening.
Police said an initial investigation found that the security guard tried to prevent the robbery from going ahead and “paid for his efforts with his life.”
An eye witness said the guard was shot twice as he attempted to protect members of the public from the armed robber.
“This is a severe incident,” said central police district chief Cmdr. Bentsi Sao. The district’s elite central unit has been tasked with leading the investigation.
Magen David Adom paramedics attempted to resuscitate the guard while transferring him to a hospital in the area, but he later died of his wounds.
The gunman fled the scene on a motorbike. Large numbers of police were mobilized to the area and were searching for the suspect.
A police helicopter was also sent to assist ground teams in the search for the gunman.