German police nab suspected jewelry thieves
April 22, 2021
German police arrested three men in swoops targeting a suspected gang of jewelry thieves early Thursday.
A police statement said the raids followed an investigation lasting months and involved more than 300 officers, including criminal police and special operations commandos.
Three alleged gang members — aged 35, 38 and 51 — were arrested during searches of 27 premises in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg and Lower Saxony, police said. Nine other suspects — aged between 22 and 62 — are being investigated.
Well-planned, violent robberies
According to police, the group had been active since 2018, targeting apartments, family homes and a jewelry store in a series of often violent burglaries. They allegedly carried out the robberies dressed up as police officers, and tied up their victims up at gunpoint.
The suspects also appeared to have planned their crimes extremely carefully and "did not shy away from using violence," the police statement said.
In total, they stole more than €1 million ($1.2 million) in cash, watches and jewelry, the statement added. Some of the goods were later sold to a jewelry store.
Police also found two firearms, various pistols and 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of marijuana in the raids.