Petah Tikva man runs over, stabs man who 'put spell on his daughter'

A 40-year-old resident of Petah Tikva was arrested by Israel Police and indicted on Tuesday on suspicion that he ran over another man with his car and then stabbed him with a knife because he thought the victim had "put a spell" on his daughter, according to a police spokesperson statement.

The man was indicted in the Lod District Court for causing serious injury under aggravating circumstances, following a police investigation.

The Petah Tikva police began an investigation about a week and a half ago after receiving a report about a man riding an electric bike who was run over by a car. Suspicions that the incident was an attack grew after stab marks were discovered on the victim's stomach.

The police then the suspect in Petah Tikva and an investigation revealed the suspect man believed the victim had "bewitched" his daughter by casting a spell against her.

The suspect obtained the victim's address and sought him out

In response, the suspect bought a knife at a store in Petah Tikva and then attempted to obtain the victim's address.

He made several attempts to do this, ultimately succeeding by posing as an emissary of a rabbi to convince the victim's brother to give up the address.

Finally, after recognizing the victim riding a bike, the suspect intentionally hit him with his car and proceeded to stab him, according to a police statement.

The suspect's detention in police custody was later extended.