Thieves cash in on stolen WWII German Panzer tank

[Aptrgangr]

Thieves cash in on stolen WWII German Panzer tank

SOFIA, Bulgaria: Police have arrested two Germans and a Bulgarian military officer accused of stealing a World War II-era German tank and attempting to steal another, authorities said Wednesday.
Military prosecutor Hristo Tinev said the three suspects were caught on Dec. 13 while attempting to steal an MK IV Panzer tank in southern Bulgaria.
They are accused of stealing another tank and smuggling it out of the country last month.
The two Germans, who were not identified by name, and Bulgarian officer Alexey Petrov face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, Tinev said.
The two Panzers were used in World War II and later dug into the ground at the Bulgarian-Turkish border to use as artillery during the Cold War.

Bulgaria was a member of the now-defunct Warsaw Pact, and maintained a massive military presence at its border with NATO member Turkey.
There are still some 40 Panzer tanks dug into the ground in southern Bulgaria.
The three suspects are accused of hiring local people to dig the tanks out. Authorities said they dismantled one of the tanks and transported it out of the country.
According to experts quoted by the 24 Hours daily newspaper, the tanks were unfit for combat, but valued on the antiquities market at up to €50,000 (US$72,000).

Thieves cash in on stolen WWII German Panzer tank - International Herald Tribune



Up to 15 years for digging out an old inoperable tank? Crazy...
Anyway, they look better restored in a museum than dug in the earth somewhere.