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German 'Robin Hoods' Give Poor a Taste of the High Life

infoshop reposter | 11.05.2006 23:26 | Social Struggles

A GANG of anarchist Robin Hood-style thieves, who dress as superheroes and steal expensive food from exclusive restaurants and delicatessens to give to the poor, are being hunted by police in the German city of Hamburg.





The gang members seemingly take delight in injecting humour into their raids, which rely on sheer numbers and the confusion caused by their presence. After they plundered Kobe beef fillets, champagne and smoked salmon from a gourmet store on the exclusive Elbastrasse, they presented the cashier with a bouquet of flowers before making their getaway.

The latest robbery is part of a pattern over the past several months, suggesting that the thieves deliberately set out to highlight what they perceive as the inequality inherent in German society.

However, the authorities do not agree. Bodo Franz, a police spokesman, said: "They get off feeling they are just like Robin Hood. There are about 30 in the group. But whatever their motives, they are thieves, plain and simple."

Carsten Sievers, the manager of a luxury supermarket in the wealthy Blankenese area of Hamburg, recently watched the robbers run off with trolleys full of expensive foodstuffs, including Kobe beef which, at more than £100 a pound, is always on their illicit shopping list.

In another recent swoop, the gang emptied a groaning buffet table in a top restaurant into sacks, while one of their number held up a sign saying. "The fat years are over" - the title of a hit film currently doing the rounds in Germany.

In internet statements, the gang have made a point of saying their booty is distributed to Hartz IV recipients - the poorest of Germany's long-term unemployed. The benefit is named after the disgraced Volkswagen personnel director Peter Hartz who, before he lost his job with the car-maker in a prostitutes-and-bribes scandal, devised the new means-testing which is loathed and derided by society's most economically challenged.

When the gang robbed the gourmet store in April - triggering a massive police investigation that cost £20,000 in taxpayers' money without an arrest being made - they left a note behind saying: "Without the abilities of the superheroes to help them, it would be impossible for ordinary people to survive in the city of the millionaires."

Police say they are concentrating their investigation on a loose collective of anarchists and malcontents called "Hamburg in Vain", to which they believe the superheroes belong. But they admit there is a certain panache and skill about their robberies. indicating a strong criminal element as well.

The gang are also behind black market cinema tickets which they distribute free to the poor, and they have printed leaflets telling passengers how to dodge ticket inspectors on the city's underground and buses.

Mr Franz said: "They try to make crime fun but are politically motivated."

infoshop reposter

Comments

Hide the following 8 comments

go for it

14.05.2006 15:28

i agree entirly with this statement below

"They get off feeling they are just like Robin Hood. There are about 30 in the group. But whatever their motives, they are thieves, plain and simple."

Put plain and simple it is that Robin hood was also just a thief his motives were good and went down in history as everyones favorate rogue and a hero also, good on them for choosing such a role model & expanding upon his ideals.

palewarrior


Hamburg Robin Hoods Pictures Required

15.05.2006 13:40

Dear Sir/Madam

I am a picture editor at the Guardian Newspaper in London, working on the daily G2 supplement.

We wish to publish an article on the Hamburg Superheroes featured on Indymedia and would very much like to get access to the photographs published alongside your article at a print resolution suitable to accompany the piece.

Could you please provide me with contact details for the photographer, so that I can discuss copyright issues, fees and high-res availability.

The photographs to which I refer appear here:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/340318.html

Ideally I need to recieve a response within 24hrs if possible.

My contact details are:

 joe.mee@guardian.co.uk
Tel. +44 20 7131 7076

All corespondence will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Many thanks for your assistance, great site by the way.

Yours Joe Mee
Guardian G2 Picture Desk
Guardian Newspapers Ltd

 joe.mee@guardian.co.uk
Tel. +44 20 7131 7076

Joe Mee
mail e-mail: joe.mee@guardian.co.uk


I support'em

19.05.2006 13:16

They need to come to New York. I hope they never get caught. However,their actions don't change the underlying conditions of the poor.

Herbski


Im behide you

19.05.2006 21:16

I think what your doing is great. We need all need a little hope in our lives. That not all people are greedy and self centered. we all should be more caring.

Jay
mail e-mail: s_epimp@yahoo.com


Robin hood rides again

21.05.2006 12:59

Hmm, I think I'll organize a raid on the local Gelson's here in the states.

Jim


when bad news goes good

23.05.2006 22:18

Oh My! it wasn't 20 minutes ago that a friend and i were complaining about the news and lack of anything positive or motivating. then i found this story and just about cried. this is the best news i've read in years.

Viva La German 'Robin Hoods'

d.

daemondeitie


Hmm...

27.09.2006 21:51

There is a part of me that just loves this. Superhero's, inequality, sticking it to the rich; all things I love. That part of me says "way to go."
There is another part of me however. That part of me is a huge advocate for local food, crafts and produce and the vendors and shops that sell them. Here in my corner of earth, we have a handful of shops that work their asses off the provide quality items in the face of corporate blandness. It sorrows me to think of some of these places being a target these tactics.
I say go for it, but hit the Mall Worts and the Starfucks, not the locals...

dabast


If only more people were superheros

27.05.2009 12:07

If only more ppl were superheros

. X .

Jeff
mail e-mail: on.theroad@live.co.uk
- Homepage: http://on.theroad@live.co.uk


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