2nd Berlin Poker Robbery Suspect Captured: Others Named
It's been a terrific day on the Berlin poker robbery capture front as yet another suspect has been taken into custody.
News broke on Wednesday that one of the four suspects in the now notorious armed European Poker Tournament Berlin robbery had turned himself in.
A spokesperson for the Berlin police, Michael Merkel, stated that the suspect surrendered and has been held since Monday night but refuses to reveal where any of the more than 200,000 euros in cash and other suspects may be hiding.
A second suspect admitted he took part in the brazen daylight raid on a poker tournament while cameras were rolling March 6. He identified two other bandits and an accomplice police believe alerted the other men as to when the million dollars would be exposed during the tournament.
Images of the masked men were captured on surveillance cameras. They escaped with over 200,000 euros.
During questioning, he admitted to his involvement and named his three accomplices, prosecutor Sjors Kamstra told reporters.
Arrest warrants were issued for the three. Their Berlin addresses were searched on Tuesday, but they weren't there and "we assume they're on the run," investigator Stefan Teller said. Officials wouldn't speculate on where they might be.
Authorities issued photos of the three - Ahmad el-Awayti, 20, of undetermined nationality; Jihad Chetwie, a 19-year-old German; and Mustafa Ucarkus, a 20-year-old Turkish citizen. They said they did not have further suspects.
All three suspects already are known to German police in connection with previous suspected offenses including robbery and bodily harm.
El-Awayti was arrested at a central Berlin subway station on Wednesday afternoon. Police said he acknowledged to officers that he was being sought by authorities and was arrested without putting up any resistance.
The getaway car has also been located. The money, however, has not been.
This is a very fluid news story. Gambling911.com will have all the latest developments.
Ace King, Gambling911.com
