Kaufbeuren: Married couple steals excavator - court speaks judgment!

Kaufbeuren: Married couple steals excavator - court speaks judgment!

In a winding turn of fate, an Allgäu couple stands in front of the Kempten district court after they have committed the alleged theft of a mini excavator in a parking lot in Kaufbeuren. This incident not only raises moral, but also legal questions that the participants are now expensive.

The 51-year-old husband, originally from northern Germany and now as a small business owner in the Allgäu, was increasingly exposed to the construction crisis. Incredible debts and a weak order situation were just a few of the challenges with which he and his 48-year-old wife were confronted. In order to escape their predicament, the couple came up with the idea of ​​stealing a mini excavator to expand the business opportunities. They could not have afford to buy a new device due to their financial situation.

The surprise moment in the parking lot

In October 2023, the couple found what they were looking for: In the parking lot of a consumer market in Kaufbeuren, the husband discovered a poorly secured mini excavator on a trailer. After a quick exchange via WhatsApp, the couple had decided to put the theft into practice. The plan was to bring the excavator to Hungary, far away from the eyes of the German police.

As the course shows, this did not end as hoped: the police in Hungary became aware of the two and transferred them to Germany. In court, the couple admitted the theft in full and admitted that they no longer knew exactly about the details of the procedure, among other things because health problems had impaired their memory.

judgment and consequences

In the verdict, the court particularly considered the careful planning of the theft and the high value of the excavator as stressful. Positive aspects that led to milder punishments were the couple's health problems and their recognizable repentance. In addition, the return of the stolen property played an important role in the decision -making of the court.

The wife was sentenced to a prison sentence of one year, but was suspended for three years for probation. She also had to pay a fine of 500 euros. Her husband, who was considered the main person responsible, received a prison sentence of one year and six months, also on probation for four years, and an identical fine. Finally, both waived an appeal that the judgment became final.

This story of an excavator's theft is more than just a curious anecdote from the Allgäu; It also throws a light on the desperate measures that people can use in economically difficult times.