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An Unusual Case of Vandalism Caught the Attention of Authorities: A Man Was Arrested After Intentionally Scratching 260 Cars. During Interrogation, He Admitted He Acted Out of Envy of the Owners, Motivated by Resentment After Seeing Expensive and Well-Kept Vehicles.
In 2022, a 28-year-old man was arrested in the city of Karlsruhe, Germany, after voluntarily presenting himself to the police. He confessed to having scratched around 260 cars in a few days. According to local authorities, the total damage exceeds 500,000 euros.
Luxury Cars Were the Main Targets
Between Friday and Sunday, the damaged vehicles were parked in the city center. Most were high-end. According to the police, the cars were scratched or suffered other types of damage.
The suspect himself went to the police station on Monday and admitted to the actions. When asked about the reason, he responded with one word: envy. Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that he had previous offenses and had been released from prison in July 2021.
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The man was placed in preventive detention and is set to undergo a court hearing.
In Brazil, Scratching a Car Can Lead to Prison
The situation draws attention not only for the number of vehicles affected but also for the legal implications. In Brazil, for example, this type of conduct is considered a crime. According to Article 163 of the Penal Code, damaging others’ property is illegal.
The penalty ranges from one to six months of detention, or a fine. If there are aggravating factors, such as violence, threats, or use of fire, the penalty can reach up to three years, along with a fine. In these cases, the crime is considered “qualified damage.”
In addition to criminal consequences, the victim can seek justice for compensation. There are precedents.
The Court of Justice of the Federal District, for example, has already sentenced a woman to pay R$ 1,800 for material damages and an additional R$ 3,000 for moral damages, after she intentionally scratched another person’s car.
