Grandpa Gang Won’t Get Out Much Anymore
Three men dubbed the “Grandpa Gang” were convicted in Hagen, Germany, of robbing 14 banks of more than $1.23 million, sometimes using guns dating to World War II.
Rudolf Richter, 74, was sentenced to nine years, and Wilfried Ackermann, 73, got 10 years. Both confessed to robberies in northern and western Germany over a 16-year span. Lothar Ackermann, 64, no relation to Wilfried, did not enter a plea. He was sentenced to 12 years.
“It’s unbelievable how easy it is to rob a bank once you’ve done it a couple of times,” Wilfried Ackermann said during his trial.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
