Distelfeld and the other officials found a total of 13 ancient bronze coins, three ancient bronze items, two ancient lead items, and another 14 unidentified metal objects in the suspects' possession.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on Wednesday filed an indictment with the Hadera Magistrate's Court against Amir Warkani, 27, and Yosef Warkani, 33, both residents of Fureidis, after they were allegedly caught illegally collecting antiquities at the Horvat Hadarim archaeological site.
Horvat Hadarim, also known as Horvat Haidra, is located west of Moshav Ein Ayala on the Carmel coast in northern Israel. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in the area between Ein Ayala and Tel Dor.
It was declared an antiquities site in 1964, and over the years, archaeologists have documented remains of an ancient settlement, buildings, graves, quarries, a square structure, and mosaics at the site. Salvage excavations carried out nearby also uncovered the remains of a structure dating to the Roman period.
The incident took place on March 9. According to the indictment, the two arrived at Horvat Hadarim in a private vehicle carrying four metal detectors, two shovels, a pickaxe, a knife, a hammer, three flashlights, chargers, headphones, gloves, and bags intended for carrying their search equipment.
The two men allegedly scanned the area with metal detectors and, whenever they received a signal indicating the presence of metal, dug into the ground in an attempt to locate archaeological finds.
According to the indictment, they succeeded in finding several artifacts.
Shortly before leaving the site, IAA inspector Nir Distelfeld arrived together with an Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) inspector and a police officer.
Distelfeld and the other officials found a total of 13 ancient bronze coins, three ancient bronze items, two ancient lead items, and another 14 unidentified metal objects in the suspects' possession.
A week before the Warkanis were arrested, The Jerusalem Post at the time had reported on Distelfeld's arrest of two other antiquities thieves at the Horvat Hermesh site, located near the Elyakim interchange.
The two were in the midst of an illegal excavation of the site when they were discovered by the IAA, an INPA inspector, and a local security guard. Several pieces of ancient pottery had been shattered, and layers of earth had been disturbed during the suspects' excavation.
While transporting the suspects to the police station, a rocket siren sounded, forcing the police officers and IAA inspectors to stop and take shelter with the apprehended suspects, as well as other civilians, until the Home Front Command issued an all-clear alert.
Approximately 30 people were present in the small, public shelter.
Miriam Sela-Eitam contributed to this report.