Suspended Berlin Police Officer Confesses to Robbery During Car Sale

A suspended Berlin police officer has admitted to his involvement in a robbery that occurred during a private car sale, where 71,000 euros were stolen. The 42-year-old officer confessed at the start of his trial at the Berlin Regional Court, stating he was persuaded by another individual to pose as an active police officer to steal money.

The accused, who has been suspended for about five years due to other investigations, faces charges of aggravated robbery, dangerous interference with road traffic, and assault. He was apprehended on January 16 of this year and has been in custody since.

The incident took place in the parking lot of a supermarket in Berlin-Reinickendorf. A car dealer, two companions, and a man selling an Italian sports car online had arranged to meet there. The agreed price for the car was 189,000 euros, with a 68,000 euro down payment to be made in cash.

According to investigators, two men dressed in black approached the car while the cash was being counted. The suspended officer and his accomplice were reportedly wearing Berlin police vests, carrying handcuffs, and had a soft-air pistol. The officer claimed they needed to confiscate the money due to suspicions of illicit dealings. His accomplice took the cash, including an additional 3,000 euros from the buyer's companions. When the buyer requested a receipt, the two men fled in their car, leading to a brief chase that ended in a dead-end street. The officer stated his accomplice ran over one of the men's feet before grabbing the money and escaping.