Israeli crime boss dies in drive-by shooting

One of Israel’s top organized crime figures was gunned down in a drive-by shooting. Police say two men on a motorcycle opened fire on Francois Abutbul early July 31 as he stopped to fill up at a gas station north of the coastal city of Netanya.

Police say the Abutbuls are one of the most powerful families in Israeli organized crime. Abutbul ran the family business along with his brother Assi, who serving jail time for extortion, arson and unlawful imprisonment.

The family patriarch, Felix, was assassinated in 2002 at a Prague casino. Police say one of Abutbul’s bodyguards was lightly wounded in the shooting. No suspects had been arrested as of Aug. 2. — ap