Dozens of Chareidi protesters blocked Route 443 near the Ofer Crossing on Friday following the arrest of a young Chareidi man who police say was caught driving a stolen vehicle and was subsequently found to be wanted for failing to report for military service.
The incident began when Border Police officers from the Yerushalayim perimeter unit and crossing security forces stopped a vehicle for inspection as it arrived at the Ofer Crossing along Route 443.
During the inspection, police said officers determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen.
The driver, an Ashdod resident in his 20s, was arrested at the scene. An additional check of his identity revealed that he was also listed as a military draft absentee.
News of the arrest quickly spread, and within a short time dozens of Chareidi protesters arrived at the area and began blocking Route 443 in protest over the young man’s detention.
Border Police forces and officers from the Shomron and Yehudah District were deployed to the scene in an effort to restore order and reopen the highway to traffic.
Meanwhile, police said the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft of the vehicle remain under investigation by the Modiin Illit police station.
{Matzav.com}
