A confrontation in the southern coastal city of Ashdod nearly blew out of control when a secular resident threatened to stab haredi residents who wanted to stop a suspected bicycle thief in the area.
The incident began after a teen, suspected of being a serial bike thief in a haredi neighborhood, was caught by residents during the weekend but was released after being questioned by police.
On Saturday, the teen was caught again by residents, who detained him until the police arrived.
But then, a secular resident came out of a building brandishing a knife and threatened to stab the haredi residents who gathered around the alleged bike thief while cursing haredim and using foul language.
The police arrested the man who brandished the knife. The bike thief was not arrested.