Criminal apprehended after being spotted at an ATM following a theft
Upon their return from their ATM bombing spree in Heilbronn, Dutch authorities nabbed the perpetrators in a Boskoop garage. A team of German and Dutch investigators had zeroed in on a gang of five suspected bombers, who had been responsible for 21 such crimes across the country since 2020.
The Suspect Quartet, aged between 30 and 39, had reportedly amassed a significant fortune from their illicit activities, as per the Duesseldorf police and prosecutors. Their criminal exploits began with a blow in Erkrath near Duesseldorf.
To keep tabs on the villains, investigators tailored the getaway car, a souped-up Audi RS 6 with 580 PS, no speed limiter, and no airbags. Since the Dutch use a license plate recognition system on their autobahns, the car was traced to a string of bomb blasts. One of the arrested crooks had previously been convicted in Cologne in 2016 for ATM bombings.
One of the suspects attempted to flee during the arrest on Thursday. He was cornered by a police dog and viciously attacked. Inside the car, explosives, assorted license plates, and thick stacks of cash were found. Warrants for their arrest are being issued in Europe for the destruction of property and grand theft. They stand to serve up to 15 years in prison. The suspects will now be handed over to the German justice system.
The suspects were Dutch citizens of North African descent and matched the profile of the notorious 'Audi Gang,' as described by the North Rhine-Westphalia Criminal Police Office. According to this profile, a substantial portion of the bombings are believed to be the handiwork of a network of several hundred people of North African origin living in cities such as Utrecht and Amsterdam.
Duesseldorf Police Chief Miriam Brauns highlighted the growing sophistication of the gang, claiming that in "training camps," the criminals are taught the optimal amount and type of explosives required for each type of ATM. The number of bombings in NRW had recently decreased, which investigators attribute to the increased use of dyes and glues in ATMs, rendering the haul worthless.
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The German and Dutch authorities collaborated internationally to track down the 'Audi Gang', a network of bombing suspects with North African origins, who had also committed crimes in the Netherlands. This transnational operation was prompted by the discovery of explosives and stolen money in a suspect's car in Germany.
Despite the attempted escape, the suspect was apprehended with the help of a police dog, further showcasing the role of canine units in law enforcement across Europe. This incident underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating cross-border criminal activities.
The suspect's conviction in Cologne for ATM bombings in 2016 highlights the recurring nature of such crimes, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance and investigative efforts to prevent future incidents in both Germany and the Netherlands.
