Court Proceedings in Berlin - A string of automobile burglaries - 19-year-old confesses in the courtroom
Following a string of vehicle thefts, a 19-year-old is on trial at the Berlin Regional Court. The suspect is implicated in 26 crimes, involving more than a dozen vehicles. The authorities suspect the 19-year-old was part of a criminal group. At the trial's outset, the defense attorney declared that the defendant had confessed to the allegations.
However, the cars were not resold. "It was about using them," said the attorney. The 19-year-old typically wasn't acting alone during the crimes.
There are five accusations against the young man, relating to incidents between March 27, 2023, and April 7 in Berlin-Frohnau and surrounding areas.
According to the prosecution, the 19-year-old, along with accomplices, either stole vehicles or pilfered valuables from cars. Stolen car keys were often employed prior to these crimes.
Cruising around in swiped cars
The defendant claimed he became entangled with a group via a friend who sought out unlocked cars at night - "you just walk around and test car door handles," said the 19-year-old. His associates boasted about larger sums of money they had discovered earlier.
"I couldn't resist," said the defendant. "No windows were broken, keys were sometimes inside the vehicle or in the ignition - it was pure luck." They drove the stolen vehicles until the authorities captured them. The defendant acknowledged his obsession with cars.
The defendant has remained in detention since April. Future trial sessions have been scheduled until October 17. The trial resumes on September 10.
The 19-year-old was involved in stealing numerous vehicles, as mentioned by the prosecution. During their spree, they often cruised around in swiped cars.
