Arrested Individuals Accused of ATM Theft Appearing in Court
In the Regional Court of Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, a trial is underway against two suspects, a 24-year-old Moroccan and a 26-year-old Dutch national. The accused are facing charges for causing millions in damages and stealing over 300,000 euros from money machines across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The charges against the suspects include causing property damage, theft, and attempted bombing. According to the prosecution, the accused had used solid explosives such as pyrotechnics or military explosives to blow up money machines, causing significant damage. The total property damage is estimated to be around two million euros.
The alleged loot from these crimes amounts to over 316,000 euros. The crimes were committed at various locations, including Großostheim (Bavaria), Salzgitter (Lower Saxony), Eschbach (Baden-Württemberg), Darmstadt (Hesse), Erftstadt-Lechenich (NRW), Füllinsdorf, Münchenstein (Switzerland), Sankt Stefan am Walde, and Ulrichsberg (Austria).
The perpetrators often struck at night between 2.00 a.m. and 5.00 a.m. The suspects are said to have worn masks and used headlamps during the crimes. The accused have not commented on the charges.
The arrest of the suspects took place last September in the Netherlands. However, the search results do not provide information about three unknown perpetrators connected with the accused suspects involved in ATM attacks in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) recorded 461 cases of blown-up money machines nationwide in 2023. Figures for 2024 have not yet been published.
The trial is a significant step towards bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and deterring future acts of this nature. As the case progresses, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the intricate web of organised crime behind these attacks.
