Robbers Caught Trying to Steal Ancient Artefacts in Israel

A gang of robbers accused of trying to steal the Dead Sea Scrolls from a cave in the Judean Desert was indicted in Israel. The gang was apprehended in Israel and dealt with severely by Israeli officials.

The group was caught red-handed stealing historical artefacts and they were apprehended in what Israeli officials called a dramatic capture that played out along the high cliffs of a region of the Judean Desert known as the Leopard's Ascent.

"For many years now, gangs of antiquities robbers have been operating along the Judean Desert cliffs," Amir Ganor, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority's unit for the prevention of antiquities robbery, said in a media report.

"The robbers attempt to locate and find the Dead Sea Scrolls, pieces of ancient texts and unique artefacts that were left in the caves." The artefacts are then sold for large sums of money in Israel and around the world, he added.

Members of the Israeli police force search-and-rescue team were recently undergoing routine training on the cliffs when they noticed movement in a nearby cave. The team reported the incident to the Israel Antiquities Authority, which placed the cave under surveillance.

Not long after, the suspected robbers were observed again, equipped with metal detectors and other excavation equipment. Upon leaving the cave, the looters were immediately apprehended by Israeli officials, who confiscated several ancient artefacts, including a 2,000 year old lice comb from the Roman period.

The gang of looters indicted yesterday is one of the main criminal groups operating out of the Judean Desert, according to Israeli officials. In addition to the rock climbing gear used to reach the looted cave, the alleged criminals were found in possession of excavation tools, so called break in equipment, metal detectors, lighting equipment and enough food and water to last several days.