Monday, February 02, 2015

Ashkelon looting arrests

AND AGAIN: Tomb raiders arrested in Ashkelon National Park for looting, damaging ancient site. Three suspects found with metal detector and digging equipment claim they were looking for "worms to go fishing" (, Jerusalem Post).
Three Beduin men were arrested Friday night for breaking into and attempting to loot an ancient burial site in Ashkelon National Park, the Israel Antiquities Authority Robbery Prevention Unit announced on Sunday.

According to an IAA spokesman, the suspects, all in their 30s, drove an SUV from their village outside Beersheba to the Byzantine-era tomb equipped with a sophisticated metal detector and digging equipment.

“They broke into the ancient tombs and during their digging caused irreparable damage to gravestones, ancient pottery, and coffins,” said IAA robbery unit inspector and archeologist Guy Fitoussi.

[...]
Other recent looting arrests in Israel are noted here and links.