Overview
- Police arrested a 19-year-old in Stuttgart on Wednesday and said he would be brought before a judge the same day.
- Coordinated searches hit residences in Stuttgart, Esslingen and Waiblingen as authorities probe nearly 20 suspected members.
- Investigators attribute almost 30 incidents since late 2023 to the shifting group, with three 18-year-olds already jailed since June.
- The suspects allegedly posed online as young but adult women, disclosed a younger age shortly before meetings, and attacked victims with knives, pepper spray, batons or firearms.
- Prosecutors are pursuing charges including attempted murder, attempted manslaughter and aggravated robbery, and police say most targeted men had done nothing wrong.