They asked ChatGPT about the penalty for setting a store on fire – then went to torch Japanika

An indictment was filed against Hanan Yaakov and Osher Beich, 18-year-olds from Rehovot, for setting fire to the Japanika restaurant in Givatayim on the night between July 11 and 12. The two equipped themselves with about 4.5 liters of flammable material, traveled on an electric scooter, and set the restaurant ablaze while it was lit and an employee was inside. The damage is estimated at about 13,500 shekels. Before the arson, Beich asked ChatGPT about the expected punishment. Yaakov fled from police when he identified himself with a false name. The prosecution requests to keep them in custody until the end of proceedings.

The prosecution filed an indictment this morning (Friday) with the Tel Aviv District Court against Hanan Yaakov and Osher Beich, two 18-year-olds from Rehovot, for setting fire to the Japanika restaurant in Givatayim. According to the indictment, on the night between July 11 and 12, the two conspired to set the restaurant on fire. At 2:25 AM they left Rehovot, and in Bnei Brak they equipped themselves with an electric scooter and three plastic bottles containing about 4.5 liters of flammable material, as well as gloves, a face mask, and ignition devices. At 4:17 AM they arrived at the restaurant, which was lit and had an employee inside. Yaakov poured the flammable material on the doors, windows, planters, and patio, and ignited it. The fire caught the vegetation, a table, the awning, and the restaurant's entrance. The incident ended without injuries, but damage is estimated at about 13,500 shekels. The two fled on the scooter. Security cameras documented the entire route, and additional evidence was found: driver testimonies, phone extractions, searches and navigations, and a correspondence of Beich with ChatGPT before the arson, in which he asked about the penalty for setting a store on fire. Yaakov denied the allegations and remained silent, but asked an investigator: "If you know everything, why is there no other arrestee with me?" On August 5, when they tried to arrest Beich, he gave a false name and fled, but was caught. The prosecution requests to keep them in custody until the end of proceedings, emphasizing that the restaurant was not empty at the time of the arson.