Weapons theft – investigators have no leads
Photo: Adi Segal, IDF
40 weapons stolen from base
Thieves break into IDF base after cutting security fence; investigators suspect insiders job; stolen rifles, grenade launchers believed to have been handed over to criminal or terror elements
Soldiers didn't see a thing: A total of 40 weapons were stolen from an IDF base about 10 days ago after thieves broke into the base overnight.
The story was only cleared for publication Monday.
The weapons stolen include eight grenade launchers and 32 assault rifles. At this time Military Police have no leads in the case and estimate the weapons have already been handed over to criminal or terror elements.
The theft has been characterized as "one of the most severe in the IDF's history" by military sources. The base in question is home to several large warehouses containing equipment for emergency cases, including a large quantity of weapons and ammunition.
The specific warehouse targeted by the thieves is not guarded on a regular basis.
The investigation into theft revealed that part of the base's perimeter fence was removed and one of the bars on the warehouse window was cut. None of the soldiers at the base reported seeing the burglars or hearing anything suspicious during the night.
Troops fingerprinted
The theft was only discovered in the morning. Several hours later, a special Military Police unit was tasked with the investigation in conjunction with the Shin Bet. Soldiers were promptly prevented from leaving the base and many troops were questioned. Two soldiers were taken in for interrogation but released 24 hours later.
Meanwhile, investigators took fingerprints from dozens of soldiers serving at the base, but at this time no substantial progress has been reported.
IDF officers familiar with the affair said the theft was made possible due to negligence at the base in addition to assistance by insiders. Meanwhile, IDF Central Command Head Yair Naveh instructed a senior officer to undertake his own investigation into the affair.
The latest theft is not the first such case at the base. In July 2005, Ynet reported two female troops were arrested after handing over three assault rifles to an Arab, apparently to cover a financial debt.
Tova Dadon contributed to the story
