In a larger investigation into ATM demolitions, the authorities have succeeded in striking members of an international group who are said to have organized and carried out demolitions of ATMs from the Netherlands.

As the Hessian State Criminal Police Office and the Frankfurt Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Friday, three Dutch nationals have been arrested.

These are men between the ages of 25 and 31 who, according to the findings, came to Hesse specifically to blow up ATMs and get the money inside.

They are also accused of conspiring to commit a crime.

Special forces from the Hessian and North Rhine-Westphalian police were involved in the operation.

Catherine Iskandar

Responsible editor for the "Rhein-Main" department of the Sunday newspaper.

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The arrest was made possible by a tip from the Dutch police in Utrecht, which had been focusing on the group for some time.

In the night of March 30, 2022, the suspects entered Germany from the Netherlands “with a highly motorized vehicle”, according to a statement from the State Criminal Police Office.

Two explosive devices and explosive tools were found in the vehicle.

The crime was eventually prevented.

The accused were arrested by special forces in the Bad Nauheim area before the planned demolition.

The number of crimes is increasing

The explosive devices were detonated at the scene of the arrest by police demolition technicians and "rendered harmless", as it is also said.

The accused were brought before the magistrate at the district court in Friedberg on Thursday, who ordered them into custody.

According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the number of machine demolitions has risen massively in the past year.

A total of 56 acts were recorded statistically, in 27 cases perpetrators were able to get the cash, as a spokesman said.

In 2020 there were still 30 cases, with 24 cases reportedly being an attempt.

So far there has been damage totaling around 2.6 million euros.

According to the Attorney General, the perpetrators stole more than 2.5 million from the blown up machines.

Authorities have registered eight blasts since the beginning of this year.