After an ATM was blown up on Sunday in Konradsreuth, Upper Franconia, the police caught four suspected perpetrators in Thuringia. As a spokesman for the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) said on Sunday, the four men were arrested near a forest near Gefell (Saale-Orla district) as they fled on foot. The men had previously caused an accident with wild animals and parked their vehicle on Autobahn 9 near Bad Lobenstein in Thuringia.
A resident heard a loud bang from the bank branch in the Hof district early in the morning. According to the information, the ATM and the bank foyer were significantly damaged due to the explosion. According to initial information, investigators estimated the damage at a six-figure amount.
The police searched for the escapees using a helicopter and sniffer dogs, among other things. It is currently unclear whether the perpetrators stole cash during the explosion, it was said. In the coming days, investigators want to examine the explosives used. An investigating judge is also expected to decide on Monday whether to pre-trial detention for the four suspects.
According to the LKA, this was the ninth ATM explosion in Bavaria this year. There were further cases in Upper Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. According to the information, last year there were only two explosions from the beginning of the year to March 8, 2023.