- Police arrest four suspected car thieves from France
German Police Arrest Four Suspected Car Thieves from France in Cologne
The police in Cologne arrested four suspected car thieves, including minors, from France. Two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old, and a 20-year-old were provisionally detained on Thursday evening, police reported. Additionally, two cars were seized. One of them was reportedly stolen in France earlier that day.
The Dutch police had informed their Cologne colleagues about the suspects' movements. A stolen car and a "support vehicle" crossed the German-Dutch border and were heading towards Cologne on the A4. Each vehicle contained two persons. When the vehicles were spotted in Germany, a chase ensued.
At a traffic light in Cologne, the officers finally intervened. While two young men in one car surrendered without resistance, the situation at the second car was more complex. According to the police, the 16-year-old driver initially rammed two vehicles stopped at the light before attempting to flee. However, the heavily damaged SUV remained stranded, and the driver and passenger were apprehended.
Besides five mobile phones, investigators also seized small amounts of sedatives and an "electroshock flashlight". Such a prohibited weapon resembles a regular flashlight but can be used as an electroshocker with an additional switch.
The suspected car thieves were attempting to flee in a seized car from France, which was one of the vehicles involved in the chase. After the pursuit, the heavily damaged SUV, the stolen car, was found stranded at a traffic light in Cologne.
