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Laughable Law Breakers

February 1, 2006

Some criminals just can't get it right, as DW-WORLD's selection of offbeat news stories featuring inept law breakers testifies.

https://p.dw.com/p/7vIt
The plans of some light-fingered Germans do not always work out as they had hopedImage: bilderbox

As long as no-one gets hurt and the perpetrators get the justice they deserve, then Germany's laughable law breakers are fair game for "From The Fringe."

DW-WORLD's regular take on the weird, wacky and wonderful from around Germany often uncovers stories of bungling burglars, careless crooks and thoughtless thieves. Anyone making a mess of breaking the law can find themselves not only in front of a judge or behind bars but also on the pages of our offbeat news section.

So, check the locks, set the car alarm and sit back and enjoy a selection of stories about Germany's most inept criminals.

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Reports & Analysis

Winter Weather is Snow Joke For Christmas Criminals

Two thieves who went on a Christmas crime wave were arrested after their footprints in the fresh snow led the cops from the scene of the crime to the front door of the criminals' abode.
December 30, 2005

Scarf-Face Mumbles His Way Through Farcical Kiosk Heist

A robber in the northwestern German city of Cologne almost failed in his heist at a local newsstand when his tightly wrapped disguise rendered his demands unintelligible.
November 30, 2005

Arrest Me, Please

Police work is not all about car chases and forced confessions, despite what we see on TV. Some criminals actually serve themselves up to investigators on a silver platter.
July 4, 2005

Karaoke Crook's Smash and Grab Raid Comes to a Grimm End

Brothers Grimm fairytales are the staple of most German children's upbringing but one grown-up thief will be kicking himself that he didn't remember aspects of the story of Hansel and Gretel.
January 19, 2006

A Criminal with a Conscience?

A thief in Koblenz makes away with a laptop computer but then suffers from a guilty conscience after the store clerk injures himself trying to capture him. He then does something unusual for a robber.
September 2, 2004

Mommy's Boy Thief Nabbed Calling Home

A German security guard who made off with a substantial sum destined for a bank was eventually caught following a 10-day manhunt by Interpol agents -- after calling home to his mom from a Croatian beach resort.
October 26, 2005

Car Thief Caught Napping

As far as attempted auto theft goes, one German car thief really could be accused of falling asleep at the wheel.
August 30, 2004