Border Police Arrest Five After Jerusalem-Area Checkpoint Breach

Police said Thursday that Border Police arrested a driver and four passengers after a vehicle breached a-Za’ayim checkpoint near Jerusalem and continued toward Highway 1 despite crossing spike strips. Officers located the vehicle driving recklessly and endangering other road users, according to the police statement. After it stopped, the driver fled on foot toward Issawiya and ignored calls to halt; officers fired one round into the air and arrested him. Police suspect him of transporting people staying illegally in Israel and said the four passengers were also arrested on suspicion of illegal stay. All five were taken to Shalem police station in Jerusalem District for further investigation.