19-year-old from Steinhagen arrested after shots fired at businesses
A 19-year-old with German and Syrian nationality is in custody pending trial. He is suspected of serious extortion with violence and multiple shootings at businesses.
Arrest following shootings in Ostwestfalen-Lippe
Following shots fired at businesses in Bielefeld, Gütersloh and Kirchlengern, police have arrested a 19-year-old from Steinhagen. The man was arrested Thursday morning during a special operations unit raid at his flat and is now in custody pending trial, according to www1.wdr.de.
The arrested man is being investigated for serious extortion with violence, property damage and violations of weapons legislation. According to police, the man holds both German and Syrian nationality. According to investigations, he may have been involved in several incidents and forced business owners to hand over money through violence.
Bielefeld police had begun investigations at the end of September after shots were fired at a Bielefeld jeweller's shop. In the following weeks, further incidents occurred in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region, which according to police were predominantly directed against business owners of Turkish descent. Authorities are still investigating the background and possible accomplices.
In the night leading into Friday, shots were again fired at a jeweller's shop in Gütersloh. Police believe there may be further perpetrators at large.
Source: Google News DE — Crime (de)