Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 20, 2008 Adar1 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 07:39 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 07:37 20/02/2008 Two arrested for allegedly blinding and robbing cab driver, 72 By Roni Singer-Heruti Tags: assault, israel, taxi Police on Tuesday arrested two men from Rehovot for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver and hijacking his cab. The victim, a 72-year-old man from the area, lost an eye in the attack. Police say the suspects, aged 19 and 21, confessed to the crime. Yaacov Mizrahi, a pensioner who supplemented his income by occasionally driving a cab, was found lying on the side of the road near Rishon Letzion by two passersby, who called an ambulance. Mizrahi had been assaulted and beaten by two passengers who had asked him to take them from Rehovot to Palmahim around midnight on Monday. The men stabbed Mizrahi in the eye with a screwdriver, and then made off with his cab. Advertisement The suspects allegedly had called Mizrahi's cab company and ordered a cab from Remez Street in Rehovot. They placed the call from one of their cell phones, police said. The Rehovot police station tracked down the suspects shortly after the incident, following an intensive investigation. The older suspect had been previously convicted of theft. The younger man did not have a police record. Police found the cab parked in a residential area of Rehovot. The two suspects confessed that they had planned to rob the cab driver who came to pick them up, and said they had agreed to call off their plan if the driver happened to be young, on the assumption that he would put up more of a fight, police said. They said they were surprised that Mizrahi did put up a fight, and said this was why they assaulted him. They expressed regret for the crime, police added. They are scheduled to be arraigned this morning at the Rishon Letzion Magistrate's Court. The medical staff at Assaf Harofeh Hospital, near Tzrifin, spent two hours trying to save Mizrahi's eye, but failed. His four children, who were staying at his bedside, told Haaretz he regained consciousness Tuesday. "We're in shock. It's very difficult to take. We can't believe this actually happened to us. We're hurting and we are outraged," said his son Gil Mizrahi. Last month, another cab driver was robbed, assaulted and injured in Rehovot, after his passengers refused to pay him for the ride. Suspects were arrested in the case. "My father is a very good person who never thought anything bad could happen to him. Now they took out one his eyes and beat him all over. It's shocking. Is this what it's come to?" his son said. In the past two years alone, two taxi drivers have been murdered. One, an Arab from East Jerusalem, was murdered in a Tel Aviv apartment by a French immigrant, who cited political motives for the killing. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Intrigue at Heathrow According to the BBC, an IDF general dodged arrest as U.K. police feared shootout. Decency in remission A Ramat Yishai widow is suspected of faking cancer to receive donations.

Today Online Olmert meets Abbas but Jerusalem not on agenda Responses: 179 Lebanon tense amid specter of fresh Israel-Hezbollah fighting Responses: 178 German intellectuals: Israel's creation made Palestinians victims of the Nazi Holocaust Responses: 312 Meron Benvenisti: The demographic bomb is 1-2 years away Responses: 92 Yoel Marcus: Better to keep tabs on terrorists than to kill them Responses: 47 Rosner's Domain Does John McCain need Evangelical voters? (WTR) Rosner's Guest(s): Orthodox women want a "seat at the table" Gaza: The Problem Nobody Wants Poll: Is it important to have an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of 2008? The row over Obama's stance on Israel is a dispute between Jews More Headlines 07:33 Israel still building in West Bank despite PM's pledge 05:21 ANALYSIS: When it comes to Jerusalem, both sides are right 07:32 Report: U.K. police did not arrest IDF general fearing shootout 03:11 MKs to tour Europe, Far East urging stronger action against Iran 03:15 Secular families leave J'lem neighborhood, ultra-Orthodox take over 07:24 Obama sweeps Wisconsin, pushing to 9 straight victories 07:25 Peace-minded residents of Gaza, Sderot meet online, write blog 06:20 Sweden accused of persecuting civil servant for pro-Israel views 04:05 Officials at odds over first planned Arab city since Israel established 07:37 Two arrested for allegedly blinding and robbing cab driver, 72 07:05 Labor party minister appeals bill 'empowering' rabbinical courts 05:41 Business owners in north told to return Lebanon war compensation Previous Editions Select Day 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved