Arrests in European Poker Tour Robbery

3/18/10 - Two weeks on from the dramatic armed robbery at the European Poker Tour Berlin tournament the investigations have seen a surge of progress, thanks mainly to one robber giving himself up Monday and snitching on the others.

According to Associated Press reports the 21-year-old German who turned himself in admitted to his involvement and named his three accomplices as Ahmad el-Awayti (20) of undetermined nationality; Jihad Chetwie, a 19-year-old German; and Mustafa Ucarkus, a 20-year-old Turk.

Police have obtained arrest warrants and have issued photographs of the subjects, saying some of the men have previous suspected criminal involvement on their records.

Police spokesman Michael Merkel revealed that the car used in the robbery has also been recovered and is being forensically examined.

Frank Heller, a prosecutor on the case told reporters, "The stolen money [now believed to be around Euros 330 000] was divided up immediately after the crime", adding that the suspect in custody has already agreed to pay back his share.

UPDATE:

The Berlin addresses of all those named were searched on Tuesday, but the occupants were absent and are assumed to be fugitives from justice. It is understood that no cash was found in the searches.

AP reports that a second suspect - Ahmad El-Awayti - is now in police custody, having been arrested at a central Berlin subway station on Wednesday afternoon. Prosecutor Sjors Kamstra said the accused acknowledged to officers that he was being sought by authorities and was arrested without putting up any resistance.

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