Karlsruhe Regional Court: A Court in Germany Hears a Case - Accused vending machine robbers discuss their reasons for stealing.
Two admissions, one stays quiet: In the trial of an ATM bombing incident leaving a deceased person following a flight, two of the accused have confessed. In the Karlsruhe District Court, two Dutch 21-year-olds admit their involvement in a robbery in Wiernsheim close to Pforzheim. Their motive: financial woes and debt obligations. Simultaneously, they apologize for their actions. The 30-year-old alleged getaway car driver doesn't comment on the matter on Friday. It's claimed he caused the accident while escaping the police, leading to the demise of a 45-year-old unassociated man.
For a modest fortune
One 21-year-old, who's allegedly supposed to blow up the two ATMs in Wiernsheim, retells how he was asked if he wanted to "earn a lot of money very quickly." He was instructed on what to do. "A few thousand euros" of the spoils were reserved for him. He knew it wasn't legal. He's troubled by the crime. "It was a major blunder." He won't disclose any information about the individuals behind the scenes; to protect his family..
The next 21-year-old, who's alleged to have lifted the ATMs with a pry bar, also expresses sorrow in court and claims, "I was in financial straits."
The 30-year-old alleged getaway car driver also had debt. He details the health repercussions of the crash. At first, he doesn't discuss the perilous flight.
Threat to life
The prosecution accuses the three supposed robbers of involvement in the ATM bombing and severe burglary; the 30-year-old, following the passing of a 45-year-old in the crash, also with murder. The driver of the getaway car is said to have sped through the country after the ATM explosion in the previous year's November. Then, he's said to have driven as if a ghost on the A6, causing a collision with a truck.
The truck's passenger was so badly injured, he ultimately died several days later. The 30-year-old is considered by the prosecution to have considered the potential death of another person before making his risky getaway, hence he is also charged with attempted murder.
The three suspects have been detained since November.
They all hail from Netherlands.
It's a routine occurrence
In the getaway vehicle, the police found over 41,000 euros in cash from the ATM explosion in Wiernsheim, as well as explosives. The building's damage was assessed at around 250,000 euros.
In Germany, there are constant ATM bombings. As early as Friday morning, there was another one. This time, unidentified individuals set off an ATM in Reutlingen. The perpetrators made their escape without drawing attention. The extent of the money stolen and damage caused was initially unclear.
The Karlsruhe trial has six more hearing days reserved from May 2 through July 12.
