Crimes in Series - Process for Theft and Burned Getaway Cars
For five months, a burglar and his subsequent pursuit and chase at the Lower Rhine have caused quite a stir - since Friday, the suspected perpetrator from Niederkruchten now stands before the Mönchengladbach District Court. He is charged with numerous crimes, including burglary, driving without a license, assaulting police officers, reckless endangerment, hit-and-run, and arson.
At the outset, the 34-year-old admitted to a significant portion of the accused acts. He confessed that on the evening of February 10, he and an acquaintance had broken into an empty single-family house in Niederkruchten and stolen jewelry and the car parked in front of the door.
"We had celebrated Carnival," said the defendant. When the money ran out, they had "spontaneously" decided to break into the house. He was drunk at the time, emphasized the already sentenced man. His acquaintance had encouraged him.
Pursuit by the police
The homeowners, who owned the house at the time of the crime, were not at home. A neighbor saw the car leave. When the police located the car and attempted to stop it, the defendant rammed their vehicle. He then engaged in a pursuit with the police. He managed to shake off his pursuers. Subsequently, he set the stolen car on fire on a country road in Niederkruchten. "My acquaintance had come up with the idea to wipe out traces," he claimed.
Ten days later, he was stopped while driving a car without a license and while intoxicated. Additionally, he may have lost a glove during a failed burglary attempt in Niederkruchten. His DNA traces were found on the glove. In court, he remained silent about this.
According to court records, he had already been sentenced in Berlin and Leverkusen. A sentence of two and a half years in prison, which is not yet legally binding, is still pending for this trial. Two more trial days have been scheduled.
- During his pursuit, the suspect utilized an automatic transmission in the stolen escape vehicle to evade capture on the Lower Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia.
- The police launched a comprehensive investigation into the theft, leading to the identification of the Criminality suspect's whereabouts, resulting in his eventual apprehension in Mönchengladbach.
- The court process for the accused has included evidence of his involvement in the theft, as well as the subsequent destruction of the escape vehicle and evasion from the police.
- In the ensuing trial, the defendant faces potential Punishment for aggravated burglary, damaged property, and assaulting law enforcement officers.
- The police continue to investigate any remaining ties to the defendant's criminal activities outside of this case, as his history of Criminality suggests potential future incidents.
