display
Berlin (dpa / bb) - After a series of break-ins in Berlin senior citizens' and nursing homes, the trial against three men has started at the regional court.
Two of the accused are said to have gained access to apartments.
According to investigations, they are said to have stolen jewelry and cash worth more than 50,000 euros.
As the third accused, a jeweler has to answer for stolen goods.
At the beginning of the trial on Wednesday, the defense lawyer for the 54-year-old defendant stated that his client would not counter the allegations made against him.
However, he does not comment on complicity.
The 54- and 47-year-olds are said to have robbed older people across Berlin from May to September 2020.
They acted as members of a gang, according to the prosecution.
Several times victims were lured out of the apartment by one of the perpetrators under a pretext.
The burglars pretended to be parcel deliverers or craftsmen.
In the case of a 93-year-old, one of the main defendants claimed that a package had arrived for her that was waiting for her on the ground floor in return for a signature.
The wrong parcel carrier made sure that the door was only pulled shut.
The accomplice then gained access.
Almost 30 crimes are accused - the oldest victim is 96 years old.
The burglars are said to have broken into apartments nine times.
In most cases, however, the alleged gang did not come into play because senior citizens were not deceived and stayed in the apartment or locked the door when leaving.
display
The three defendants were arrested in September.
The 54- and 47-year-olds, who are accused of serious gang theft, have been in custody since then.
The jeweler who is said to have sold stolen jewelry through his business is free against conditions.
The trial will continue on February 12th.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210210-99-384895 / 2