A million-dollar theft from safes ends with prison sentences
**It's a massive heist: A gang empties out a safe deposit facility in Berlin over twelve hours and makes off with money and valuables worth millions. The men were sentenced to several years in prison by the Berlin Regional Court. The presiding judge, Michael Mattern, stated in his judgment that the men had caused not only economic, but also intangible damage, such as the theft of family heirlooms.
The Chamber found it proven that the 42-year-old Muhammet H. had planned the crime. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. According to the court's findings, H. had arranged with the 52-year-old defendant Thomas S., who managed safes for his customers, that certain safes and vaults of a watch dealer in Berlin-Charlottenburg should be emptied in November 2022.
S. testified extensively in the trial. His motive was debts that he intended to pay off through his involvement in the theft. His defense referred to the witness protection program and demanded an acquittal. The court, however, did not comply and sentenced him to three and a half years in prison. S. had provided significant clarification, but his role was also significant, said Judge Mattern. "Without him, it wouldn't have happened."
It was S. who gave H. the blueprints for the rooms in Berlin-Charlottenburg, had him disguised as a construction worker to inspect the safes and vaults, and set up a fake security company, whose members were among the later suspects. One of them was Kenan S., who was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison.
Over 17 Million Euros in Damages
S. provided them with the transponders and codes for the rooms. Together with other suspects, S. gained access to them the following day, while St. ensured that the alarm system was deactivated. For twelve hours, the thieves were then occupied with breaking into a total of 295 safes, loading the stolen goods into a vehicle, and transporting them in several trips.
When the alarm system control center noticed that it was still deactivated and the cameras had been sprayed with paint, they contacted the facility and reached S., who could not name the agreed-upon codeword. The heist was discovered. S. warned his accomplices and set a fire with pre-prepared tire irons and gasoline to destroy traces.
The 26-year-old Mahmoud M. was also sentenced to a total of four years and four months in prison because, according to the Chamber, he had provided assistance. This included, among other things, the creation of application documents for the alleged security company.
His uncle Bilal M. was released as requested by the defense. St. had also implicated Bilal M., but these statements were not sufficient, said Judge Mattern. The prosecution had demanded a five-year prison sentence for Bilal M. The court assessed the damages at 17.6 million Euros instead of the 50 million Euros stated by the prosecution. The sum was "very favorable to the defendants," the judge emphasized.**
The investigation revealed links between this organized crime ring and other International theft networks, highlighting the widespread nature of Criminality in the realm of Organized crime. Despite facing significant damages totaling 17.6 million Euros, authorities were unable to prove a direct involvement of Bilal M. in the theft Processes, resulting in his release.
