2 'grandpas' admit bank robberies
May 4, 2005
HAGEN, Germany -- Three elderly men dubbed the ''Grandpa Gang'' went on trial Tuesday, accused of robbing 14 German banks and getting away with more than $1.3 million over 16 years.
As the trial opened in the western city of Hagen, Rudolf Richter, 74, and Wilfried Ackermann, 73, admitted to the robberies. The third defendant, Lothar Ackermann, 64, who is not related to Wilfried, remained silent.
The three could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The two older men met while in prison on separate bank robbery charges, and after their release began meeting with their 64-year-old acquaintance annually to discuss robbery plans, Wilfried Ackermann testified.
Wilfried Ackermann was afraid of going into a rest home and hoped to save up enough money to buy himself a home in Bielefeld, he said. ''But, that's not an excuse,'' he told the state court. AP
May 4, 2005
HAGEN, Germany -- Three elderly men dubbed the ''Grandpa Gang'' went on trial Tuesday, accused of robbing 14 German banks and getting away with more than $1.3 million over 16 years.
As the trial opened in the western city of Hagen, Rudolf Richter, 74, and Wilfried Ackermann, 73, admitted to the robberies. The third defendant, Lothar Ackermann, 64, who is not related to Wilfried, remained silent.
The three could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The two older men met while in prison on separate bank robbery charges, and after their release began meeting with their 64-year-old acquaintance annually to discuss robbery plans, Wilfried Ackermann testified.
Wilfried Ackermann was afraid of going into a rest home and hoped to save up enough money to buy himself a home in Bielefeld, he said. ''But, that's not an excuse,'' he told the state court. AP
