20-March-2010

 

Wednesday, German authorities said they have apprehended two suspects in connection with the March 6 armed robbery of the European Poker Tour Berlin poker tournament. Police allege the two suspects were part of a four-person gang that stole over $325000 in cash from the tournament’s $5 million-plus prize pool.

The robbery took place at the Grand Hyatt hotel during Day 4 of the tournament. Surveillance footage shows four masked individuals enter the venue with a machete and a revolver. A hotel security guard reportedly attempted to tackle the four before they fled in a black Mercedes.

At a press conference in Berlin Wednesday, police spokesman commissioner Frank Millert and director commissioner Stefan Teller told reporters the first suspect, 21-year-old “Mohammed B.,” turned himself in Monday. Officials said Mohammed B. listed his accomplices as Ahmed el-Awayti, 20, Jihad Chetwie, 19, and Mustafa Ucarkus, 20.

Police said they do not have additional suspects and declined to share any further information concerning Mohammed B. Prosecutor Frank Heller said Mohammed B. plans to return his $54272 share of the stolen money through his lawyer.

“The money was divided up immediately after the crime,” Heller said.

Heller also said Mohammed B. admitted to scouting out the casino in advance.

“(Mohammed B.) took a look at where the money is, how the money is secured, are there guards, are the guards armed,” Heller said. “And when he saw that the guards didn't have guns, (the suspects) decided that they had a chance.”

The spokesmen went on to say police arrested the second suspect, Ahmed el-Awayti, Wednesday at the central Berlin subway station. According to police, el-Awayti acknowledged he was wanted in connection with the robbery and did not resist arrest.

Authorities have issued arrest warrants for Chetwie and Ucarkus as well. Police have also released photographs of the two suspects and identified Chetwie as a German and Ucarkus as a Turkish national.

Officials noted that German police suspect el-Awayti, Chetwie and Ucarkus of involvement in previous offenses, including robbery and bodily harm.

Authorities located the robbers’ Mercedes Tuesday and searched el-Awayti’s, Chetwie’s and Ucarkus’s residences. They were unable, however, to recover any of the stolen money and could not locate Chetwie or Ucarkus.

“We assume they’re on the run,” Teller said.

Officials declined to speculate on the remaining suspects’ whereabouts, but said they are continuing their search for the two men.

By: Phill Provance
phill.provance@acehoyle.com

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