Police officers dig on a property in Plate (M.-V.) for the pot of gold. The Berlin wine merchant Maximilian S. (43) had 18 gold nuggets with him when he was arrested Photo: Jens Büttner/dpa/Private
By Karl Keim, Jakob Mell and Stephanie Mercier
It was one of the most spectacular museum burglaries in recent years: At the end of 2022, burglars climbed into the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching (Bavaria) and pried open doors and showcases. Loot: 483 Celtic gold coins.
Now four Germans are in custody. At least three of the men were probably serial offenders! They are said to be professionals – having committed eleven thefts since 1990. You face up to ten years in prison!
This is how the police tracked down the treasure robbers: First, the trio of Alexander K. (42), Robert K. (46) and Jörn M. (50) from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania came into focus – partly because they kept buying black overalls on the Internet. The investigators tapped their phones and observed them.
The Celtic Coins Photo: Handout/AFP
On Tuesday, Robert K. met at home with Maximilian S. (43) – the owner of a large wine shop in Berlin-Tempelhof. When S. left the property again, he was overpowered by the police. He had 18 gold nuggets in a bag. After that, K. and the two other suspects were arrested.
A theory of the investigators: Maximilian S. could have bought the gold at the meeting. Or: Part of the booty was shared.
One thing is certain: investigating judges issued arrest warrants against all four for serious gang theft. The quartet is silent on the allegations. The police were able to secure half a kilo of the three-kilo treasure. She fears the thieves are melting down the rest of the 2,100-year-old coins.
Police are investigating whether the men committed other burglaries. Because a DNA trace from Manching was also found in other burglaries. Some of the crime scenes: Nienhagen (M.-V.), Pressath (Bavaria), Edermünde (Hesse) and Winsen (Lower Saxony).