For the first time in Switzerland an ATM sprinkler has been convicted, as the “Blick” reports. A 30-year-old Bulgarian blew up a Raiffeisenbank ATM in Sevelen SG on December 12, 2019 at 1:33 a.m. Together with an accomplice, he installed a self-made bomb on the ATM, which caused massive damage in a huge explosion.
The damage to property amounted to over 100,000 francs – windows, mailboxes, lamps and ceiling paneling were destroyed. The control panel of the ATM and parts of the adjacent wall panels of the building were thrown onto the pavement and street by the violent detonation. What’s more: The explosion threatened the lives of 30 residents and passers-by on the street. Luckily, no one got hurt. The actual safe held up, but the two robbers were able to steal 126,600 francs from a cash box.
The 30-year-old was searched internationally and finally caught on June 19 in Dornbirn (Austria). On June 6, 2020, the robber was extradited to Switzerland by the Vorarlberg State Criminal Police Office. His accomplice had been arrested in Denmark three days earlier. In the indictment, the two were also charged with endangering the many residents. Now the 30-year-old main offender has been sentenced by the Bellinzona Federal Criminal Court to 74 months in prison followed by ten years’ expulsion from the country.