A northern Israeli businessman was allegedly squeezed by a protection racket that started with threats and ended with gunfire at his home and his gas station. Police say three Nazareth residents, aged 17, 18 and 23, were behind it, with demands that escalated until they reached 1 million shekels. According to the indictment, the victim was warned that if he refused to pay, he would be shot in the legs and his gas station would be blown up. The shots had already been fired by the time that final demand came in, which turned an extortion attempt into a very real danger for him and his family.

Northern District Police and Border Police officers rushed to the scene and engaged a fleeing vehicle, leaving the white getaway sedan riddled with bullet holes. Officers recovered an M16 rifle, a handgun and other evidence, and at least one of the suspects was wounded before all three were taken into custody. Video from the scene shows officers handling the seized weapons and ammunition on the ground and escorting handcuffed suspects away. Prosecutors have since filed an indictment, and the case surfaced as police announced a wider crackdown on alleged extortion rackets across the country. These are allegations only, and the three are presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.