Jewelry Store Heist: Defendant Remains Silent in Court

A 41-year-old man is facing trial at the Berlin Regional Court for his alleged involvement in a robbery at a jewelry store in Wilmersdorf. The incident, which occurred on October 14, 2023, involved the suspect entering the store disguised in a wig and flat cap, while holding a bouquet of flowers.

According to the prosecution, the defendant threatened a 53-year-old employee with a firearm and struck her with the weapon, as an accomplice collected valuables amounting to approximately EUR15,000 in cash and jewelry. At the beginning of the trial, the accused chose to remain silent and did not provide any statement.

The charges against him include aggravated robbery and dangerous bodily harm. The defense attorney asserted in a counter-statement that the allegations would not hold up in court. He pointed out that only a mixed DNA trace found on a cap, which was left at the scene, linked the defendant to the crime. The lawyer argued that this does not prove the defendant wore the cap on the day of the robbery, suggesting it could have been used by another individual.

On the day of the incident, the accused was allegedly accompanied by two unidentified accomplices. One of them reportedly waited in a getaway car outside the jewelry store. Initially, the suspects managed to escape without being identified. However, the flat cap worn by the 41-year-old was left behind at the crime scene.

This was not the first time the defendant had been involved in similar criminal activities. In May 2024, he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for another jewelry store robbery executed in a similar manner. Currently, he is serving that sentence as he faces the new charges. The trial is scheduled to continue on February 18.