1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:35,840 The film features re-enactments of actual events dramatized under the supervision 4 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:39,720 of the Slovak Police Force as based on case files and eyewitness accounts. 5 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:44,760 Annually, over 1,300 cars disappear in Slovakia. 6 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:47,560 The most stolen brands are Volkswagen, Skoda, and Fiat. 7 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:54,360 UK's NaVCIS intelligence service indicates a major car theft gang active in Slovakia. 8 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:03,160 According to the data, it is responsible for hundreds of stolen cars a year. 9 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,320 Team Alpha to OK1: We arrived at the target location. 10 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:14,840 We're entering a family house. 11 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:17,600 A non-invasive entry. 12 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:29,840 Team Bravo. We're on site. Enter block 7, 4th floor. 13 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:35,040 OK1 to all units: Proceed with caution. 14 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,000 The culprits may be armed and dangerous. 15 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:49,480 Team Bravo. We're on the roof, moving to window on 4th floor. 16 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:50,640 Roger. 17 00:01:51,880 --> 00:01:55,960 Approaching the garage. Three subjects confirmed on the premises. 18 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,080 Suspects confirmed. Awaiting the signal. 19 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:03,720 Countdown initiated: ram in 2, window breach in 1. 20 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:05,440 Five. 21 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:07,320 Four. 22 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:09,440 Three. 23 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:11,920 Two. 24 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:16,280 - Police! - One. 25 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,240 FEBRUARY 17, 2017 26 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:41,880 WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT 27 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,680 My father died when I was 12. 28 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:52,480 A DOCUMENTARY BY DOMINIK BARI 29 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,200 I was just entering my teenage phase, and so was my brother. 30 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:57,480 Mum just failed to keep up. 31 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:02,680 She didn't manage to keep us within bounds. 32 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,880 Naturally, she was very sad about it, she suffered for years. 33 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:10,680 I stole my first car at about 14 or 15. 34 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:12,480 MARTIN EX CAR THIEF 35 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:14,800 But back then, it was just about getting a ride. 36 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,360 At 15 I was arrested. 37 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:22,200 When I got out at the age of 17, I joined a crew doing it for money. 38 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:27,000 I wasn't really thinking; I was young and didn't give a damn. 39 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,560 I ended up serving around 15 years. 40 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:37,120 As a young man, I thought it a good life. 41 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:40,920 There was money, parties, the whole shebang, but... 42 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:47,360 Too late did I find out there are more important things in life, 43 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:50,840 like family, children, home, love. 44 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,720 In the cold light of day, I know it's not worth it. 45 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,760 I went through it and lost 15 years of my life, 46 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,360 and I'm never getting that time back. 47 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,840 CAR GANGS 48 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:30,160 Since it was my first car ever, I was very much attached to it. 49 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:34,640 I come from Košice, so my license plate said KE. 50 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:40,360 Before bed each night, I'd glance out the window to check it was still there. 51 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,680 At night, all was very quiet. 52 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:48,280 My room faced the side where I parked, and I didn't hear a thing. 53 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,360 Leaving for work that morning, 54 00:04:51,440 --> 00:04:54,440 it was my second day at a new job, 55 00:04:54,840 --> 00:04:57,040 I went out to find my car gone. 56 00:04:57,120 --> 00:04:58,360 DAGMAR CAR THEFT VICTIM 57 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:00,240 It had just vanished. 58 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:05,240 You wake up ready to head to work or start a family trip, 59 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:09,040 you grab the car keys, only to find your car missing. 60 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,160 Maybe you parked elsewhere than usual, such things happen, 61 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:17,440 however, it's much more probable that your car was stolen. 62 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,480 Well, I felt rather desperate. 63 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:32,440 I still hoped the car hadn't been stolen, just towed away. 64 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:38,040 I inquired with the city police about my license plate. 65 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,720 When they confirmed it wasn't there and told me to call the police, 66 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,200 I was really devastated. 67 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:56,560 It was a huge shock. I barely knew anyone here. 68 00:05:57,280 --> 00:06:01,960 I'd been in Bratislava for seven days, second day at work. 69 00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:05,480 I had to call the office that I wouldn't be coming in 70 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:07,760 and explain what had happened. 71 00:06:07,840 --> 00:06:11,040 It wasn't pleasant at all, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. 72 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:27,200 I moved to Bratislava end of March, 73 00:06:27,280 --> 00:06:30,880 the car cost me all the money I had left. 74 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,000 I'm divorced and we made a deal with my ex-husband 75 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,960 that our daughter, 14 at the time, 76 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:39,920 would stay in Orava for now 77 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:42,280 while I'd visit her every weekend. 78 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:47,240 Not being able to afford a new car made it especially painful. 79 00:06:55,840 --> 00:06:58,160 My name's Tomáš and I'm a cook. 80 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:00,800 My Skoda Octavia was stolen. 81 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,360 I'm Ingrid and I work in a restaurant. 82 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:08,600 My Peugeot was stolen. 83 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,360 My name's Adam and I'm an IT technician. 84 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:19,840 My Skoda Octavia was stolen. 85 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:25,720 My name's Jan, I'm retired but still assist in construction work. 86 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:27,800 My Peugeot 406 was stolen. 87 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:41,040 I'm Eva, I'm a concert artist and teach art, 88 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:45,160 My Peugeot 206 was stolen. 89 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:53,520 My name's Peter, I'm a businessman, my Seat Alhambra was stolen. 90 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:57,760 I'm Lukáš, I'm from Bratislava and my Volkswagen CC was stolen. 91 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,240 My name's Stanislava, I'm a special education teacher. 92 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,560 Our Skoda Octavia was stolen. 93 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,280 When I called my daughter, she burst into tears... 94 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:10,920 DAGMAR CAR THEFT VICTIM 95 00:08:11,000 --> 00:08:13,800 ...pleading, 'Mum, what are you going to do? 96 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:19,200 How are we going to see each other before I finally come to Bratislava?' 97 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:22,640 So on top of everything, I had to comfort my daughter, 98 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:25,560 reassuring her we'd find a way and make it. 99 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:28,320 It was really incredibly hard for me. 100 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:34,360 Control centre 1000 to all road patrols. 101 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,240 Passenger car Volkswagen Passat 102 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:43,200 Grey in colour, license plate KE 900 LA. 103 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,880 The vehicle was... 104 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,840 754 to Control centre 1000. I pursue the suspect vehicle 105 00:08:59,920 --> 00:09:02,520 down Štefánikova street to downtown. 106 00:09:18,520 --> 00:09:24,360 754 to Control centre 1000. Car check negative. Search to continue. 107 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:42,680 At the police station, I was told that if the car isn't found within a week... 108 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:44,360 LUKÁŠ CAR THEFT VICTIM 109 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:46,600 ...I might as well forget about it. 110 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,800 There's very little chance it would be found, 111 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:53,480 I'd win the lottery before getting my car back. 112 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:58,200 No matter your status in life, 113 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:02,360 whether you're a lawyer, a doctor, an IT guy, or a cook, 114 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:07,560 once you park your car on the street and someone really needs it 115 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:09,880 and has the know-how, it's gone. 116 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:11,880 We're all equal then. 117 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:18,200 If there were any real justice, some things wouldn't happen. 118 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,920 I never gave much thought to the car owners; 119 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,720 thieves only care about the make of the cars, 120 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:28,720 not the lives of the people. 121 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:33,680 There was demand for various cars, not just one specific model. 122 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:38,400 But once we knew we could sell four or five cars and had the choice, 123 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:41,800 in addition, some brands always sell well, like Audi, 124 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,560 so we'd go on a random hunt, just scouting. 125 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:48,400 Often, we didn't find what we wanted, 126 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,200 but we'd always picked up something. 127 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:54,000 Even if it just stood aside afterwards. 128 00:10:54,560 --> 00:10:56,920 There was a time when I'd say 129 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,760 -we already had euros, I wasn't that young anymore- 130 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:01,640 well, I told a girl once that 131 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:04,760 if I were to get 3,000 euros a month 132 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,880 to get up at 5 a.m., start at Kia Motors at 6, 133 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:10,200 and just go home after the shift, I wouldn't do it. 134 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:14,400 Back then, it was a lot of money, people didn't make that much. 135 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,920 And I had it two-three times a week. 136 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,800 The judge was driving a car I stole. 137 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,840 He showed up laughing, saying, 'That's the one you brought me.' 138 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:31,400 I hear there's a new gang now, some young guys, 139 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:34,120 but I don't know much about them. 140 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:38,200 I'm old school. Back in my day, things were different. 141 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:43,880 These guys are different, younger, with better equipment these days, 142 00:11:43,960 --> 00:11:49,600 and with the right gear and expertise, they can do it in a couple of seconds. 143 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:59,520 - Mikulík speaking, hello. - I'm calling about the Mercedes seat. 144 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:03,280 - Is it still available? - Yes, it is, we have it here. 145 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,000 All goods are in-person pickup only, if you want it, you have to come over. 146 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:09,600 Alright, I'll come in the afternoon, if that suits you. 147 00:12:09,680 --> 00:12:13,640 - Send me the address via SMS. - I will, to this number. 148 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:15,800 There's one more thing, my wife hit the bumper 149 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:21,840 on an older Citroen C5, a 2006, I think. Any chance you have one in stock? 150 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:27,280 Well, I'm not sure offhand, but I'll check and call you back. 151 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,160 - Great, thanks. - It shouldn't be a problem, though. 152 00:12:46,560 --> 00:12:49,400 It happened a month ago. 153 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:52,120 This is how we found out: 154 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:57,760 the car was parked in a parking lot while we were away. 155 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:01,480 After a week, when we got back the car was gone. 156 00:13:01,560 --> 00:13:04,440 All we found was an empty parking space, 157 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,960 broken glass on the ground, and a damaged lock. 158 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:15,800 On August 14 at night, 159 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,800 I was at work for a big company event. 160 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,480 I came home at 1:30 a.m. 161 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:26,800 and found the garage empty. 162 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:29,160 It was a shock, of course, 163 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:30,880 a massive shock. 164 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:35,840 I never imagined anyone breaking into my garage. 165 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:37,760 It's attached to the house. 166 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:41,720 So he entered my house. 167 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,880 He must've found the key hook inside. He must've known. 168 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,240 He just knew where to look for the keys. 169 00:13:53,320 --> 00:13:55,680 It all took about 5 minutes. 170 00:13:55,760 --> 00:14:00,240 Within 5 minutes, they came to our yard and left with the car. 171 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,680 You can't figure out a stranger's place in just five minutes. 172 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:11,640 He must've thoroughly cased the place. 173 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:16,480 - Mikulík speaking. - Hello. 174 00:14:16,560 --> 00:14:19,880 - We got the Citroen bumper you wanted. - Wonderful. 175 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,440 - You can pick it up. - Great, thanks. 176 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:24,840 I can't pinpoint the exact date, 177 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:28,760 it was probably sometime during my 2-week holiday 178 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:32,200 and a week after I got back. 179 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,000 I didn't find the car where I'd parked it. 180 00:14:35,080 --> 00:14:38,800 I'd been saving it for my son, who was to turn 18 soon; 181 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:43,600 He was just getting his license and I planned to pass it on to him. 182 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,920 So I had it all sorted out, 183 00:14:47,000 --> 00:14:50,800 all the checks, a brand new battery, 184 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:54,280 It was really all tricked out. 185 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:58,040 Maybe the guy found out about it somehow. 186 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,520 My girlfriend came home and asked, 'Where's your car?' 187 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,360 'You're home all the time?' Why? I'm home, the car is downstairs. 188 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:39,440 'It's not.' I said, just get your glasses, and you'll see it there. 189 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:43,720 Then I went out for a smoke, and from the balcony I see, 190 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:46,280 'indeed, I have no car.' 191 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:51,080 Now, I'd never been in such situation, like, who do I call? 192 00:15:51,400 --> 00:15:53,960 So I called the police. 193 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:58,800 They said, 'Okay, let's write it up at the police station.' 194 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,960 Then all night we spent printing leaflets with my car on it, 195 00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:08,080 pointing out the scratches it had so it could be identified. 196 00:16:08,160 --> 00:16:13,480 We printed maybe 50 of them, and roamed around the town until 4 a.m. 197 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,720 putting them up on doors and walls, should anyone see it. 198 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,480 Nobody ever called me, not at all. 199 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:27,040 On July 10, a young family with two children lost their old but reliable car. 200 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:30,360 It was stolen in the morning in Žilina's Hájik housing estate. 201 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:35,520 In Lučenec, a man left his parked car only to find it gone upon return. 202 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:40,200 In broad daylight, his 3-year-old car, worth about 15,000 euros, was stolen. 203 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:44,280 A white Skoda Superb was stolen in Gelnica housing estate on June 6. 204 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:46,360 The perpetrators vanished without a trace. 205 00:16:46,440 --> 00:16:49,960 The older car was parked directly in front of a family home. 206 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:52,000 Yet, only an empty space remained. 207 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:56,520 Two masked men stole a car in less than 3 minutes. 208 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:02,040 With a clear target, ignoring other cars they headed to the alley where we parked. 209 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:04,600 ANDREJ ZAVŘEL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER 210 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,360 I have information about them. For a while now, we've been tracking their activities, 211 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:10,040 and monitoring cars disappearing from Bratislava. 212 00:17:10,120 --> 00:17:14,680 I have clues as to where the cars go and who's behind it. 213 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:25,200 These guys are young, aged between 22 and 30. 214 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:29,000 They're a bigger bunch with others pulling the strings. 215 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,960 The ringleader is a guy named Mikulík 216 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,760 who also introduced these other guys to the business. 217 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,440 He oversees the sales, 218 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:52,280 what to steal, where to take it, where to sell, where to disassemble. 219 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:54,560 And he's the customer contact. 220 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,680 His right-hand man is Smrek, 221 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:04,760 nicknamed Smretcho, the Spruce, 222 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:09,400 coordinating with him on major issues. 223 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:14,960 The other guys are Patrik Dula and Branislav Hrušovský aka Hruška, the Pear. 224 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:21,360 They are more like grunts, I'd say, guys for simple jobs, 225 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:25,040 they go pick up the cars to take them from point A to point B. 226 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:29,320 This group of four is the most visible, 227 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,760 but a much larger operation likely exists in the background. 228 00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:38,280 Ultimately, all depends on what the police is able to uncover and prosecute. 229 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:45,120 These offenders are younger than those in earlier car gangs. 230 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:47,040 VÁCLAV VOJAČEK INVESTIGATOR 231 00:18:47,120 --> 00:18:51,440 They're a different generation, with a distinct mindset, 232 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:56,360 a distinct experience and knowledge from their elders back then. 233 00:18:57,560 --> 00:19:01,480 The difference may be that they have a more refined grasp 234 00:19:01,560 --> 00:19:04,400 of how to do the work, cover the tracks, 235 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:06,840 pass on the loot and all that. 236 00:19:08,360 --> 00:19:13,680 They likely learn also from the elders, 237 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:17,800 see what was different, what went wrong, what to improve. 238 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,720 With this combined knowledge they simply perform better. 239 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:27,440 A few months later, I received a call from the investigator. 240 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,520 He didn't say it outright, but somehow I sensed it. 241 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:34,520 These very same guys stole my car, too. 242 00:19:34,600 --> 00:19:36,840 It was even on the news later. 243 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,480 They reported about the Leopoldov gang, 244 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:41,840 which had stolen around 26 cars. 245 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:47,640 I still hope to find the car. Maybe somewhere online. 246 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,520 Or on some shared community page. 247 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,920 The owner parked his car here for just a few minutes. 248 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:59,880 It was still enough for the thief to steal it. 249 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:05,240 Organized car gangs export the cars out of Slovakia. 250 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:11,000 There's a rumour about a Car Phantom operating in Leopoldov. 251 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:19,440 Everyone knew who he was; the police knew, the prosecutor knew. 252 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:21,120 Yet, he had free rein. 253 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:25,320 He was said to enjoy protection from high-ranking officials 254 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:29,360 because he has certain information. Thus, he could do as he pleased. 255 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:33,120 So in theory, there may be a connection, 256 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,360 a motivation to get a lavish life 257 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:41,000 by relatively quick and easy car thefts. 258 00:20:46,120 --> 00:20:48,800 We were legendary and we had it all. 259 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:52,120 We had money, girls, cars, apartments. 260 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:53,680 PHANTOM CAR THIEF 261 00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:56,000 You name it! We lived like... 262 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,400 not sure how to put it, totally off the charts. 263 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,840 These little guys wanted... Everyone wants to have a good life. 264 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:06,960 Today, there're such youngsters, but the business changed. 265 00:21:07,360 --> 00:21:11,000 Back then, you'd make your cash and blow it all. 266 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:17,800 You'd cop some new gear, go on holiday, a football match. 267 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:22,440 A Real Madrid game in a private jet, crazy shit, right? 268 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:25,680 You'd make it all back tomorrow if you needed to. 269 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:28,720 Opportunities were plenty, waiting to be seized. 270 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:31,480 It's basically like going to work. 271 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:35,400 Not like doing something wrong anymore; just a job like any other. 272 00:21:36,120 --> 00:21:38,040 But a regular gig, that's a 9-5 job, 273 00:21:38,120 --> 00:21:41,800 with this you're done in 20 minutes, start to finish. 274 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:52,040 Just as many people normalize daily working hours... 275 00:21:52,120 --> 00:21:53,760 SYLVIA DANČIAKOVÁ CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST 276 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:55,120 ...and saving money, 277 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:58,000 so do these individuals normalize their activities. 278 00:21:58,080 --> 00:21:59,560 It's a form of normalization. 279 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:04,240 These people are primed for wanting everything much faster. 280 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:08,760 For them, it's a regular job, a means to an end 281 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:14,000 that allows them to quickly satisfy their motivations. 282 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:18,840 Everyone in this game made serious cash. 283 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:23,600 Once you rake it in, well, all have vices, 'normal' is rare. 284 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,160 So, all kinds of stories come out about those folks, 285 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:28,840 different kinds, for sure. 286 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:33,120 There was this really smart guy, he ended up dead in a creek. 287 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:37,440 Maybe he robbed some wrong guy, don't know, but he was a sharp cookie. 288 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:40,600 Nobody knows you exist, so you must live like that. 289 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:45,720 Showing off, you're on top one day and at the bottom the next. 290 00:22:46,080 --> 00:22:47,640 What's the point, really? 291 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:52,240 In the evening after work, Ms. Daniela parked her car here. 292 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:53,920 The next morning, she was in for a shock. 293 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,960 I came 8:45 AM, ready to go to work, 294 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,920 but my car was not where I'd parked it. 295 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:06,480 She immediately called the police, who secured the scene for evidence. 296 00:23:15,120 --> 00:23:19,480 This is a more complex case, it suggests careful planning. 297 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:23,920 They must have understood the system, clearly knew how it works. 298 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:26,000 MICHAL JUHÁSZ CRIMINAL AND EXPERTISE INSTITUTE 299 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:28,560 They broke into the car mechanically, 300 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:32,000 by brute force, by using a key or a jammer. 301 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:38,200 Once inside, they started overriding the car's electronic security. 302 00:23:38,560 --> 00:23:45,520 They'd set up a sophisticated system to mimic the immobilizer, 303 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:51,520 opened the hood and accessed the engine compartment. 304 00:23:52,120 --> 00:23:55,400 They took out the original control unit 305 00:23:55,480 --> 00:24:00,720 and replaced it with an identical one along with the bypass immobilizer. 306 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:16,520 Our findings show that the offenders focus on specific vehicle models. 307 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:19,160 LAST YEAR, MOST CARS WERE STOLEN IN TAHANOVCE AND KVP 308 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:23,880 Primary targets were Skoda Fabia, Skoda Octavia, and Volkswagen Golf. 309 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:26,040 Nine such cars disappeared in total. 310 00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:29,920 I know they stole more cars around the time they took mine. 311 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:34,280 The investigator mentioned that Octavias had been stolen. 312 00:24:34,360 --> 00:24:37,520 Skodas are the most frequent targets of car thefts. 313 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:40,240 It is the most frequently stolen car make, 314 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:44,520 so all Skoda owners should be vigilant. 315 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:49,280 In this country, people want Skodas, Volkswagens, Audis. 316 00:24:49,360 --> 00:24:51,000 Those cars are in demand. 317 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:54,480 Some people want French ones, but that's a very narrow group. 318 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,360 Japanese cars don't break, nobody want them. 319 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:01,280 So, there are the type of cars in demand. 320 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:11,840 Today, certain cars are easier to steal. 321 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,360 A car theft took longer back then. 322 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:20,320 You had to pick the lock, have a key made. 323 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:24,240 You spent a short time at the car, but making the key took time. 324 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,760 Nowadays, with these keyless cars, 325 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:30,600 the keyless entry systems and all this, 326 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:33,720 you can drive away within 5 seconds. 327 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:37,680 The more valuable the car, the easier it is to steal. 328 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:44,840 Now, high-end cars have the Keyless Go, so you can steal anything. 329 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,720 But they added this sleeping key fob, 330 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:54,800 so if the key doesn't move a while, the rod can't snatch the signal. 331 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:57,920 The fishing rod repeater amplifies the car key signal. 332 00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:00,080 SENEC SOPHISTICATED CAR THEFT METHOD 333 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:04,120 You have a key, your car's a keyless go, the key's in your pocket. 334 00:26:04,200 --> 00:26:07,920 As you walk away, I follow behind with a receiver. 335 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:11,880 My buddy's standing at your car, the one we want to steal, 336 00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:14,560 and I just boost the key signal, 337 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:19,000 the car thinks it's there with my buddy, 338 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:23,880 it unlocks, he jumps in, starts it, and takes off. 339 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:28,880 The theft innovation comes from the West, where such cars are most common. 340 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,960 Two hooded thieves approach the house holding a relay frame. 341 00:26:33,040 --> 00:26:35,800 Inside, the owner is asleep, the remote left in the hallway. 342 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:39,200 Normally, the remote must be within a meter of the car. 343 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:42,440 The frame has a reader to boost the signal, 344 00:26:42,520 --> 00:26:45,400 so they open the car from meters away. 345 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:50,880 Another thief gets in, drives off, and the men with the frame run off. 346 00:26:50,960 --> 00:26:55,160 Technically, you don't steal at all, since there's no forced entry. 347 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:58,520 If stopped by cops, it was started, so what? 348 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:04,280 However, once turned off, the engine won't restart. You need jammers. 349 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:09,640 But the jammers block everything nearby, nobody lock or unlocks a car. 350 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:13,160 It's a mess. The car must leave right away. 351 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:17,960 You must remove the radio module, and don't see or hear a thing, 352 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:21,520 everything's on the radio, it has to go, so it doesn't transmit. 353 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:25,360 Then, you find the LoJack right away, but with those GSM devices, 354 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:28,280 they're small, don't even need power, they're hard to find. 355 00:27:28,360 --> 00:27:31,040 So it's too much trouble. 356 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:39,960 When I finally came to myself, I realized how much it challenged our daily life. 357 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:41,680 STANISLAVA CAR THEFT VICTIM 358 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:45,240 My husband travels for work a lot, 359 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:50,880 We have a prematurely born daughter with disability and multiple diagnoses, 360 00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:53,440 back then not yet able to walk, 361 00:27:53,520 --> 00:27:58,320 we took her to various therapies, drove back and forth a lot. 362 00:27:59,120 --> 00:28:03,200 It dawned on us we were in deep trouble. 363 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:07,960 With a child not able to walk, we needed the car. 364 00:28:08,520 --> 00:28:10,080 It was a necessity. 365 00:28:10,600 --> 00:28:13,920 So, you face a dilemma: Should you buy a car? 366 00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:17,720 Or spend the money on therapies and rehabilitation 367 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:20,520 to help the child walk, 368 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:23,760 help the child make further progress. 369 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,600 A lot of questions about what to do next. 370 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:28,960 Those are morons! They have it coming, though. 371 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:31,200 You just don't do such things; it's not right. 372 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:34,880 As a thief, you must have your honour. If you don't, you're just a dickhead. 373 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:37,360 That's it. Case closed. 374 00:28:41,480 --> 00:28:45,680 If a cop catches you robbing a disabled person, what do you think will happen? 375 00:28:46,280 --> 00:28:47,520 Nobody likes that. 376 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:52,120 But being caught with a car of some German asshole, 377 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:55,520 whose insurance pays for it, he doesn't even want it back, 378 00:28:55,600 --> 00:28:57,400 it's a different story. 379 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:02,080 I once nicked an Alhambra or a Multivan, 380 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:05,800 and when I had a look inside 381 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:08,880 it had 7 seats, 3 had child seats. 382 00:29:09,840 --> 00:29:14,120 So I filled up the car because the tank was almost empty 383 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:17,760 and parked it at the police station, so they found it right away. 384 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:21,680 You have to look at it this way: God is watching sometimes. 385 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:24,760 You just act in a way that makes everyone happy. 386 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:29,360 Com'on, you don't leave a poor guy with 3 kids on foot. 387 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:32,720 When an Austrian came, we rejoiced. 388 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:36,120 After all, his insurance paid for it, and no one was harmed, really. 389 00:29:36,200 --> 00:29:40,000 It even seemed to me they brought those cars here on purpose. 390 00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:43,600 I mean, often we were literally waiting for them at the border, 391 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:47,200 slowly following them, you need just 10 seconds; 392 00:29:47,280 --> 00:29:49,920 he takes a piss at the gas station, and you can finish it off there. 393 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:53,920 Once, we accidentally took a car of a local teacher. 394 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:56,320 I even remembered her. She had kids' tests inside. 395 00:29:56,400 --> 00:29:58,720 Of course, we returned the car along with the tests. 396 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:02,720 Well, these things happen. It's a two-way street. 397 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:08,360 Mistakes happen, like at any other job, so you just return it. 398 00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:14,640 I couldn't help but wonder, 399 00:30:15,280 --> 00:30:17,840 had I parked somewhere else, would this have happened? 400 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:20,960 Most people end up with the feeling, 401 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:24,080 I could've parked it better. 402 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:26,600 I could've been more careful. 403 00:30:26,680 --> 00:30:33,280 I should've installed a better security system. 404 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:37,560 I should've used a secure parking lot 405 00:30:37,640 --> 00:30:40,440 or I should've gotten a garage. 406 00:30:40,520 --> 00:30:42,560 But essentially it's not related at all. 407 00:30:42,640 --> 00:30:45,240 I did have this 'what if' in my head. 408 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:49,640 But the person, the actual victim, takes such incident 409 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:55,640 as a real invasion, crossing of boundaries. 410 00:30:56,560 --> 00:31:01,640 Often, it's a very wounding and painful experience. 411 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:06,680 I know now that anyone at any time can enter my house. 412 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:11,840 The garage entry he used to get in is actually glass doors. 413 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:14,080 He can do it to me anytime. 414 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:18,560 To them, it's something so unimaginable 415 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:22,160 that somebody did that to them, 416 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:27,880 they often become anxious or even blame themselves; they become depressed. 417 00:31:28,240 --> 00:31:32,680 I know what I'm talking about as I experienced it myself. 418 00:31:32,760 --> 00:31:35,560 I had my car stolen, as well. 419 00:31:39,360 --> 00:31:42,040 As far as cover-ups are concerned, 420 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:45,840 especially related to car theft gangs, generally speaking... 421 00:31:45,920 --> 00:31:47,480 ANDREJ ZAVŘEL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER 422 00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:50,440 ...it can't be done without someone having your back, 423 00:31:50,760 --> 00:31:53,800 be it the police or prosecutor's office. 424 00:31:54,200 --> 00:31:58,480 I dare say nobody commits such crimes without protection, 425 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:02,200 whether for gratitude or money. 426 00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:07,080 We have to bear in mind people will do anything for money. 427 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:12,000 As history shows us, there are convicted people, 428 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:15,560 accused and convicted judges 429 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:20,640 who sold million-dollar cases for phones or handbags. 430 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:25,640 So I'd argue this kind of crime is always covered up. 431 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:30,200 And always will be. Without it you can't do it for long. 432 00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:43,080 If over 100 cars vanish in Bratislava in a short time, the police have to act. 433 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:48,000 These people are well-connected, with friends of friends in high places. 434 00:32:48,080 --> 00:32:52,760 So it can't be swept under the rug, the police must act. It's their job. 435 00:32:53,160 --> 00:32:55,040 I know many of the officers. 436 00:32:56,000 --> 00:33:00,080 They strive to ensure the offenders are convicted or prosecuted 437 00:33:00,160 --> 00:33:04,040 and the cars found, unless they've been dismantled, sold or blown up. 438 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:08,800 I think police, mainly young officers, are ambitious and want to act head-on. 439 00:33:09,640 --> 00:33:14,600 The car-theft issue was really severe. 440 00:33:14,680 --> 00:33:18,360 Many cars stolen, few found or solved. 441 00:33:18,440 --> 00:33:20,080 VÁCLAV VOJAČEK INVESTIGATOR 442 00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:23,000 The newcomers wanted to prove themselves, 443 00:33:23,080 --> 00:33:25,960 gain ground, and improve the situation. 444 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:31,040 They got together and pooled ideas to systematically confront the issues. 445 00:33:35,840 --> 00:33:40,480 The most valuable asset of the enterprise is the mastermind, the most skilled thief. 446 00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:43,400 It's the group's most precious member. 447 00:33:43,480 --> 00:33:46,480 He knows how to open the car, start it, 448 00:33:46,560 --> 00:33:51,360 and, essentially, he then hands it over to a 'driver' to transport it. 449 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:56,760 If the police catch someone, it's often the less attractive driver. 450 00:33:57,160 --> 00:34:01,640 The mastermind keeps hands clean, not involved in the transportation. 451 00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:03,360 It's all very natural. 452 00:34:03,440 --> 00:34:06,280 You find your crew, people you actually spend your whole life with... 453 00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:08,120 PHANTOM CAR THIEF 454 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:10,040 ...walking the same path together. 455 00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:13,560 If the cops catch one of them, you can sleep at night 456 00:34:13,640 --> 00:34:16,960 knowing he won't rat you out. He knows the same about you. 457 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:21,240 If some DNA is found somewhere, he won't say you he was with you, 458 00:34:21,320 --> 00:34:25,040 but, let's say, that it got mixed up or something like that. 459 00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:28,560 At the end of the day, you realize... 460 00:34:29,160 --> 00:34:33,240 You can count real pals on one hand. 461 00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:37,560 You know, someone had to return the car, someone had to bury it, like a funeral. 462 00:34:38,560 --> 00:34:41,280 It's all a machine, like a factory. 463 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:46,440 A regular living organism that you feed those cars and the others live off that. 464 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:49,720 All do well, if they are loyal to you and you loyal to them. 465 00:34:49,800 --> 00:34:53,640 So if I'm caught, I say nothing, if they're caught, they say nothing. 466 00:34:53,720 --> 00:34:56,760 No problems, no questions. You find out when problems come. 467 00:34:56,840 --> 00:35:02,560 All the guys who stayed and had a problem acted in a way that we're still friends. 468 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:07,160 In 2018, the highest number of car thefts was reported in the Bratislava region. 469 00:35:07,240 --> 00:35:09,040 Same as in previous years. 470 00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:12,280 The fewest thefts were reported in Banská Bystrica and Prešov areas. 471 00:35:12,840 --> 00:35:17,120 I really don't know, we have no clues, no idea at all. 472 00:35:17,440 --> 00:35:22,320 My husband and I think the car was taken for parts, 473 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:25,440 Beyond the border, it's most probably about spare parts. 474 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:32,440 Every details is mapped out, 475 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:37,200 how to arrive, where, what to take, where to take it, how to dismantle it, 476 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:38,760 and all the next steps. 477 00:35:38,840 --> 00:35:41,320 The demand may be for an entire car, 478 00:35:41,400 --> 00:35:46,200 which means it's stolen and hidden immediately at an unknown location. 479 00:35:46,280 --> 00:35:48,400 Or there's a demand for spare parts, 480 00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:53,000 in which case the car goes to a location where it's promptly dismantled. 481 00:35:53,080 --> 00:35:54,960 For example, sawed apart or similar. 482 00:35:55,040 --> 00:35:57,040 They're either dismantled or sold intact. 483 00:35:57,120 --> 00:36:01,680 When dismantled, they yield more profit. 484 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:03,400 It's a more lucrative business. 485 00:36:03,480 --> 00:36:06,560 It's also more labour-intensive, they need to have a special workshop, 486 00:36:06,640 --> 00:36:08,680 They have the equipment and the know-how, 487 00:36:08,760 --> 00:36:12,680 they know how to trade them, so the parts go to specific customers. 488 00:36:25,760 --> 00:36:30,280 We found them quite easily, browsing online for spare parts. 489 00:36:30,360 --> 00:36:32,720 JURAJ SPARE PARTS DEALER 490 00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:37,600 On various advertising portals, we discovered their listings, 491 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:41,520 contacted them and the cooperation began. 492 00:36:41,600 --> 00:36:46,040 We called about a specific part, and they confirmed they had it. 493 00:36:46,120 --> 00:36:48,560 When we needed an engine, we went to check it in person. 494 00:36:48,640 --> 00:36:50,480 They were very easy-going about it. 495 00:36:50,560 --> 00:36:54,280 Gradually, we even became friends. It all worked on friendly terms. 496 00:36:55,040 --> 00:36:59,480 Whenever we bought something, they'd toss in a gift, like a radio unit. 497 00:36:59,560 --> 00:37:02,480 We bought all sorts of parts from them, 498 00:37:02,560 --> 00:37:08,040 engines, transmissions, seats, other interior components... 499 00:37:08,120 --> 00:37:10,040 Basically, anything we needed. 500 00:37:11,800 --> 00:37:17,360 Interestingly enough, they could dismantle the cars in basic models 501 00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:22,120 into spare parts in 52 minutes, within an hour. 502 00:37:22,840 --> 00:37:24,600 Down to the last component. 503 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:30,320 They had their special procedures to access the engine control unit. 504 00:37:30,400 --> 00:37:32,320 MICHAL JUHÁSZ CRIMINAL AND EXPERTISE INSTITUTE 505 00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:36,240 They had multiple immobilizer bypasses tailored for different car models. 506 00:37:36,960 --> 00:37:40,320 Nicking a new Mercedes today is really challenging. 507 00:37:41,760 --> 00:37:45,000 All parts have microchips unique to the particular car. 508 00:37:45,080 --> 00:37:49,640 Let's say, you want to change a light or any electronics, 509 00:37:49,720 --> 00:37:53,640 you install it and have to tune it for the car to work with it. 510 00:37:53,720 --> 00:37:57,960 And it immediately shows them the part is from a stolen car. 511 00:37:58,040 --> 00:38:03,600 We've got guys to work around it software-wise, but it's a real hassle. 512 00:38:06,240 --> 00:38:08,200 I was hopeful my car would be found. 513 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:11,840 Each time the investigator called with an update, 514 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:15,840 I secretly hoped for good news. 515 00:38:15,920 --> 00:38:19,800 But then I was told the engine was found 516 00:38:19,880 --> 00:38:23,680 outside of Slovakia, somewhere in Hungary. 517 00:38:24,440 --> 00:38:26,600 My hopes were dashed then. 518 00:38:27,240 --> 00:38:30,440 I had a hunch where it may come from 519 00:38:30,520 --> 00:38:33,760 Sometimes you tell yourself maybe it's from a broken car, 520 00:38:35,120 --> 00:38:37,880 or rear-ended with the front end being sold off. 521 00:38:37,960 --> 00:38:40,520 I'm sure there were such cases, 522 00:38:40,960 --> 00:38:44,000 but there were also many stolen cars. 523 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:47,280 I've seen many of those cars taken apart, 524 00:38:47,360 --> 00:38:51,640 and noticed they weren't crashed, burned, or drowned. 525 00:38:52,480 --> 00:38:56,360 They were clearly stolen, dismantled, and sold off. 526 00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:02,840 The prices were interesting to us right from the start, 527 00:39:02,920 --> 00:39:05,320 before we got to know each other better. 528 00:39:05,400 --> 00:39:10,200 There was a significant difference in prices in regular stores 529 00:39:10,800 --> 00:39:12,400 and those offered by them. 530 00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:17,720 There were savings that even made the trip worthwhile. 531 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:21,000 They're being monitored and already had a close call once. 532 00:39:21,080 --> 00:39:26,480 They got interrupted trying to steal a car in Bratislava's Karlova Ves, 533 00:39:26,560 --> 00:39:31,280 while scoping out the parking lot for the night's action. 534 00:40:11,200 --> 00:40:13,280 Police of the Slovak Republic, I'm listening. 535 00:40:13,360 --> 00:40:15,640 Hello, I'm calling from home. 536 00:40:15,720 --> 00:40:19,440 From my balcony, I see a suspicious man around our cars, 537 00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:22,520 he's wandering about, peeking inside... 538 00:41:35,480 --> 00:41:39,800 They fled the scene last minute, just before the patrol arrived. 539 00:41:39,880 --> 00:41:44,280 In this particular case, the perpetrator wasn't caught, 540 00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:48,080 neither in the act of stealing a car, nor driving it away. 541 00:41:48,160 --> 00:41:51,880 This was a turning point for the police, too, 542 00:41:51,960 --> 00:41:57,160 prompting them to intensify efforts and increase vigilance, 543 00:41:57,240 --> 00:42:01,120 particularly in the suburban districts of Bratislava. 544 00:42:02,320 --> 00:42:04,400 Things started to add up, 545 00:42:04,480 --> 00:42:09,160 and after this close shave, their self-esteem plummeted. 546 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:12,000 Fear set in, fights among them. 547 00:42:12,360 --> 00:42:15,840 It was just a matter of time before they made a mistake. 548 00:42:26,920 --> 00:42:30,240 The electronic toll collection system on our highways 549 00:42:30,600 --> 00:42:33,240 is operated by the National Motorway Company. 550 00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:39,240 Everyone knows that when driving on the highway with no toll paid, 551 00:42:39,320 --> 00:42:42,680 the system records the vehicle and a fine is issued. 552 00:42:43,760 --> 00:42:48,240 The route was recorded from Karlova Ves along the Bratislava bypass 553 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:51,200 in direction of Trnava, or possibly Hlohovec and Leopoldov. 554 00:42:51,280 --> 00:42:55,880 The car gang suspects were intercepted 555 00:42:56,760 --> 00:42:59,440 and monitored from point A to point B, 556 00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:04,240 all the way from the theft site to its final destination. More or less. 557 00:43:04,960 --> 00:43:06,840 The police left nothing to chance, 558 00:43:06,920 --> 00:43:09,040 not to be caught off guard and allow the suspects to escape, 559 00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:12,400 and to prevent a potential shootout, God forbid, 560 00:43:13,080 --> 00:43:16,440 as to my information, some of the boys had a criminal history. 561 00:43:17,240 --> 00:43:20,200 They spent a year on the group, watching them, 562 00:43:20,280 --> 00:43:22,600 monitoring all their activities, 563 00:43:22,680 --> 00:43:25,680 and it all culminated in that big police raid. 564 00:43:26,440 --> 00:43:28,680 It was a truly large-scale operation. 565 00:43:28,760 --> 00:43:32,240 For our District Police Department it was unusually large. 566 00:43:32,320 --> 00:43:37,000 The sheer number of police force involved 567 00:43:37,080 --> 00:43:39,960 exceeds by far and large the capacity of our district headquarters. 568 00:43:40,040 --> 00:43:43,400 So, we can really call it a major event. 569 00:43:45,240 --> 00:43:46,760 It was truly massive. 570 00:43:46,840 --> 00:43:49,560 One of the largest operations I've ever experienced. 571 00:43:49,640 --> 00:43:52,560 Around 250 policemen were involved, 572 00:43:52,640 --> 00:43:55,760 including the SWAT team and a helicopter. 573 00:43:56,080 --> 00:43:58,400 So, yes, the action was extensive. 574 00:44:11,360 --> 00:44:17,040 Given the 11 targets, at least 11 teams were assembled. 575 00:44:17,880 --> 00:44:22,400 Now, each team was equipped with five to seven vehicles, 576 00:44:22,480 --> 00:44:25,200 the exact number based on the individual targets. 577 00:44:25,520 --> 00:44:29,520 So this entire convoy set off from here to Hlohovec. 578 00:44:37,600 --> 00:44:40,440 We could not fit in everyone, the cars had nowhere to park. 579 00:44:40,520 --> 00:44:42,800 It was a challenging logistics. 580 00:44:43,400 --> 00:44:47,160 Importantly, the assigned officers 581 00:44:47,880 --> 00:44:49,400 didn't know their target that morning. 582 00:44:49,480 --> 00:44:54,160 We had to coordinate that all strike at the same time. 583 00:44:54,720 --> 00:44:58,200 The Lynx commando was deployed, 584 00:44:58,280 --> 00:45:01,040 as it was a rather big operation. 585 00:45:01,120 --> 00:45:02,880 MÁRIO LYNX COUNTER TERRORISM UNIT 586 00:45:02,960 --> 00:45:05,440 The investigators didn't want to underestimate anything 587 00:45:05,520 --> 00:45:11,520 and called upon the best trained unit within the Slovak Police Force. 588 00:45:19,360 --> 00:45:22,680 Team Alpha to OK1: We arrived at the target location. 589 00:45:23,240 --> 00:45:24,960 We're entering a family house. 590 00:45:28,560 --> 00:45:30,520 A non-invasive entry. 591 00:45:44,160 --> 00:45:48,160 Team Bravo. We're on site. Enter block 7, 4th floor. 592 00:45:54,880 --> 00:45:57,840 OK1 to all units: Proceed with caution. 593 00:45:57,920 --> 00:46:00,600 The culprits may be armed and dangerous. 594 00:46:03,240 --> 00:46:07,320 Team Bravo. We're on the roof, moving to window on 4th floor. 595 00:46:07,400 --> 00:46:08,600 Roger. 596 00:46:09,800 --> 00:46:13,640 Approaching the garage. Three subjects confirmed on the premises. 597 00:46:13,720 --> 00:46:16,560 Suspects confirmed. Awaiting the signal. 598 00:46:19,120 --> 00:46:22,800 For me, the most surprising aspect of this operation 599 00:46:23,480 --> 00:46:25,520 was the perpetrator himself. 600 00:46:25,600 --> 00:46:28,360 Seeing him, I'd never have guessed 601 00:46:28,440 --> 00:46:33,120 he was involved in an organized car ring. 602 00:46:33,880 --> 00:46:37,560 It was a father of a small child, 603 00:46:37,640 --> 00:46:40,960 there were toys scattered around the living room. 604 00:46:41,560 --> 00:46:46,320 A perfectly normal guy. I'd never have guessed. 605 00:46:46,400 --> 00:46:48,920 That impression probably stuck with me the most. 606 00:46:58,040 --> 00:46:59,920 Police! Hands on your face! 607 00:47:00,000 --> 00:47:02,440 Secure! Secure! Cuff! Cuff! 608 00:47:06,080 --> 00:47:09,400 Have a look at Monday's massive raid in western Slovakia. 609 00:47:09,480 --> 00:47:12,080 Several persons were detained by the SWAT team. 610 00:47:12,160 --> 00:47:16,840 The Hlohovec car gang is suspect of two years of property crimes, 611 00:47:16,920 --> 00:47:19,880 stealing cars in various parts of Bratislava, 612 00:47:19,960 --> 00:47:23,800 sawing them apart, dismantling, and trading the parts. 613 00:47:23,880 --> 00:47:26,960 Over 200 police officers were involved from Bratislava, 614 00:47:27,040 --> 00:47:30,040 as well as from Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, and Banská Bystrica. 615 00:47:30,120 --> 00:47:34,120 Countdown initiated: ram in 2, window breach in 1. 616 00:47:34,560 --> 00:47:35,560 Five. 617 00:47:37,720 --> 00:47:39,000 Four. 618 00:47:40,560 --> 00:47:41,640 Three. 619 00:47:43,000 --> 00:47:44,080 Two. 620 00:47:47,000 --> 00:47:48,840 - Police! - One. 621 00:48:00,800 --> 00:48:03,280 Family members often bear the brunt. 622 00:48:03,760 --> 00:48:06,920 One memory stands out in my mind: 623 00:48:07,000 --> 00:48:11,800 a crying woman sweeping up shards from a broken entry point, 624 00:48:11,880 --> 00:48:13,640 from a shattered window. 625 00:48:14,800 --> 00:48:16,120 It was rather sad. 626 00:48:16,200 --> 00:48:19,800 The family members, sadly, often aren't the ones at fault. 627 00:49:35,680 --> 00:49:41,600 My daughters surely will learn what person I was before they were born. 628 00:49:42,280 --> 00:49:47,040 Not sure when and if I or my wife will tell them. 629 00:49:48,080 --> 00:49:51,360 My guess is they'll find out from someone else, 630 00:49:51,840 --> 00:49:54,320 and I'll have to explain it to them, then. 631 00:49:54,680 --> 00:49:58,800 I'd much rather tell them at the age 18 or 19, 632 00:49:59,160 --> 00:50:01,200 once they've matured a bit. 633 00:50:01,280 --> 00:50:06,240 Anyway, I'll wait and see what I say when the time comes. 634 00:50:06,320 --> 00:50:08,320 Now, I've been home... 635 00:50:10,400 --> 00:50:12,560 I can't even count it properly... Let's see: 636 00:50:12,640 --> 00:50:15,720 The girls will be five, plus nine months, 637 00:50:15,800 --> 00:50:17,760 it makes seven years soon. 638 00:50:26,560 --> 00:50:30,280 When you've stolen many cars without getting caught, 639 00:50:30,360 --> 00:50:33,600 neither by the police nor anybody else, 640 00:50:33,680 --> 00:50:36,080 you start to feel confident. 641 00:50:36,160 --> 00:50:39,800 You think you're irreplaceable, untouchable, and so on. 642 00:50:39,880 --> 00:50:42,440 Then, mistakes start happening. 643 00:50:43,160 --> 00:50:47,520 Many cars were seized, a lot of evidence, many control units, 644 00:50:47,600 --> 00:50:51,320 many car components, a lot of cash. 645 00:50:51,720 --> 00:50:57,960 Based on my sources, one of the houses contained a woman's wardrobe 646 00:50:58,920 --> 00:51:01,160 valued at ten thousand euros. 647 00:51:01,240 --> 00:51:05,400 Apparently, all the money was obtained through criminal activities 648 00:51:05,920 --> 00:51:09,920 and used to purchase lavish gifts for a girlfriend, so to say. 649 00:51:10,000 --> 00:51:13,960 Four accused men are currently in pre-trial detention. 650 00:51:14,040 --> 00:51:16,680 The judge will rule on their detention in the coming days. 651 00:51:16,760 --> 00:51:20,640 Car gangs will well remember 2018, 652 00:51:20,720 --> 00:51:23,280 as they're now being hunted not only by the police 653 00:51:23,360 --> 00:51:26,720 but also by over 130,000 HAKA-app users. 654 00:51:26,800 --> 00:51:28,680 ŠTEFAN FARKAŠ HEAD OF HAKA CSO 655 00:51:28,760 --> 00:51:32,080 I think the arrest caught them off guard. 656 00:51:32,960 --> 00:51:37,400 Conversely, not so many stolen vehicles would've been found, 657 00:51:37,480 --> 00:51:39,840 they would've covered up tracks. 658 00:51:39,920 --> 00:51:44,480 In the raid, the police seized an incredible number of 29 cars, 659 00:51:44,560 --> 00:51:50,800 dozens of car radios with GPS, control units, gadgets and spare parts. 660 00:51:50,880 --> 00:51:55,760 Various stealing gear was seized, including jammers. 661 00:51:56,400 --> 00:52:01,200 I was mainly shocked at the amount of the material seized, 662 00:52:01,280 --> 00:52:03,720 the amount of evidence at the scene. 663 00:52:04,560 --> 00:52:10,120 I mean a large number of car keys and various components. 664 00:52:10,200 --> 00:52:14,720 I remember a whole dashboard and various lights. 665 00:52:14,800 --> 00:52:16,760 Twenty-nine cars were seized. 666 00:52:17,400 --> 00:52:19,800 Along with engines and various car parts, 667 00:52:19,880 --> 00:52:23,720 control units, and other items from dismantled vehicles. 668 00:52:23,800 --> 00:52:25,160 VÁCLAV VOJAČEK INVESTIGATOR 669 00:52:25,240 --> 00:52:28,040 There were hundreds of them; it was impossible to count. 670 00:52:28,120 --> 00:52:32,640 Additionally, we seized USB drives and mobile phones 671 00:52:32,720 --> 00:52:37,640 to find any communications or electronic data 672 00:52:37,720 --> 00:52:40,800 that could provide further evidence 673 00:52:40,880 --> 00:52:43,680 and help us prove the criminal activity. 674 00:52:53,200 --> 00:52:57,120 In my entire career, I've never encountered a situation 675 00:52:57,200 --> 00:53:02,120 with such a vast amount of evidence for analysis in a single case. 676 00:53:05,800 --> 00:53:11,240 There were so many car parts to be identified and analyzed 677 00:53:11,320 --> 00:53:15,480 that all three Slovak institutes had to evenly divide the workload 678 00:53:15,560 --> 00:53:20,200 to ensure a timely completion within the case deadline. 679 00:53:24,200 --> 00:53:27,760 Based on what we discovered and on the vehicle samples, 680 00:53:27,840 --> 00:53:31,440 the perpetrators likely operated across Slovak borders. 681 00:53:35,080 --> 00:53:39,360 The number of people here was really huge. 682 00:53:39,440 --> 00:53:42,800 There were four days straight of intensive work 683 00:53:42,880 --> 00:53:47,840 We can't afford any downtime, having legal deadlines to keep. 684 00:53:48,600 --> 00:53:54,040 To manage it all, we calculated that during the operation, 685 00:53:54,120 --> 00:53:57,520 let's say, in the two most hectic days, 686 00:53:57,600 --> 00:54:01,000 12 kg of coffee were consumed just to go keep up going. 687 00:54:07,000 --> 00:54:12,520 Once the action started, within a month we found further locations, 688 00:54:13,040 --> 00:54:15,600 and examined the premises. 689 00:54:15,680 --> 00:54:20,360 thus, we managed to find four more cars. 690 00:54:20,880 --> 00:54:22,960 In total, 34 cars were seized. 691 00:54:27,440 --> 00:54:31,320 Then on August 29, I could hardly contain myself. 692 00:54:31,400 --> 00:54:36,800 A policewoman called me saying she had some good news. 693 00:54:37,840 --> 00:54:40,680 I wondered what good news it could possibly be. 694 00:54:40,760 --> 00:54:45,240 She told me they'd found my car and I had to sit down 695 00:54:47,800 --> 00:54:49,200 and started screaming, 696 00:54:49,280 --> 00:54:53,680 'Good news? This is good news? This is absolutely great!' 697 00:54:54,640 --> 00:54:58,920 Well, I'm one of the lucky ones whose car the police found. 698 00:55:03,880 --> 00:55:07,800 I got a call from the police that my car was found. 699 00:55:08,800 --> 00:55:11,560 At first, I couldn't believe it was really mine, 700 00:55:11,640 --> 00:55:14,040 after such a long time, after six months. 701 00:55:14,600 --> 00:55:19,520 It was a feeling I can maybe compare to winning the lottery. 702 00:55:20,000 --> 00:55:23,120 I don't know what that feels like, but I think it's similar. 703 00:55:26,360 --> 00:55:30,400 I was out with two plastic bags, you know, eggs, milk... 704 00:55:31,160 --> 00:55:34,920 and suddenly I get a call, a bunch of ones or zeros, 705 00:55:35,280 --> 00:55:39,120 OK, must be the cops with some new information. 706 00:55:39,200 --> 00:55:41,840 'We found your vehicle,' they say. And I, 'are you kidding me?' 707 00:55:42,440 --> 00:55:46,720 We received an official letter, it said the investigation was closed. 708 00:55:46,800 --> 00:55:48,640 The car was not found. 709 00:55:49,000 --> 00:55:53,640 Right after our report, a businessman from eastern Slovakia called us. 710 00:55:53,720 --> 00:55:55,720 He was touched by Mrs Stanka's story. 711 00:55:55,800 --> 00:55:59,320 We put them in touch and the outcome is truly remarkable. 712 00:55:59,400 --> 00:56:03,960 As of today, Mrs Stanka's family can enjoy this four-wheel gift. 713 00:56:04,040 --> 00:56:10,360 We met, they gave our girls, Noemi and Ali, some small gifts. 714 00:56:11,240 --> 00:56:13,120 And then they gave us a car! 715 00:56:13,200 --> 00:56:17,240 The third car that arrived was for us. 716 00:56:19,480 --> 00:56:23,680 That was another shock; such people really do exist? 717 00:56:23,760 --> 00:56:26,680 They'd noticed our story and gifted us a car! 718 00:56:26,760 --> 00:56:29,520 I guess this doesn't happen very often. 719 00:56:30,920 --> 00:56:34,880 It's so unbelievable, we call it a Christmas miracle. 720 00:56:36,800 --> 00:56:39,160 No, my car was never recovered. 721 00:56:39,560 --> 00:56:45,560 I wish all those who do this would pay for it. 722 00:56:47,400 --> 00:56:50,600 No cooperation could be established. 723 00:56:50,680 --> 00:56:55,200 They wouldn't testify, confess, give any account. 724 00:56:55,720 --> 00:56:59,240 From start to finish, they denied the charges. 725 00:56:59,320 --> 00:57:03,920 We had to arduously prove the case without the help of the accused. 726 00:57:04,520 --> 00:57:09,920 Throughout the entire investigation, they refused to cooperate. 727 00:57:10,880 --> 00:57:13,120 They just maintained their denial. 728 00:57:13,200 --> 00:57:17,040 The accused had a defense attorney 729 00:57:17,120 --> 00:57:20,280 at every stage of the proceedings... 730 00:57:20,360 --> 00:57:22,080 TOMÁŠ HERMAN CRIMINAL LAWYER 731 00:57:22,160 --> 00:57:24,640 ...and were undoubtedly advised to remain silent. 732 00:57:24,720 --> 00:57:27,960 Initially, they remained silent about the incident, 733 00:57:28,040 --> 00:57:30,160 didn't testify, didn't want to talk at all. 734 00:57:30,240 --> 00:57:35,320 Two of them were really broken by what was happening there. 735 00:57:36,360 --> 00:57:40,720 I also heard that one of them struggled a lot in detention. 736 00:57:41,200 --> 00:57:45,360 Pre-trial custody often has an impact 737 00:57:45,440 --> 00:57:48,440 on the mental health of the accused. 738 00:57:49,360 --> 00:57:54,600 The presumption of innocence applies and they may still hope for acquittal. 739 00:57:58,240 --> 00:58:01,360 One seemed to be on the fence about whether to say something, 740 00:58:01,440 --> 00:58:04,720 he even started to cooperate but then withdrew again. 741 00:58:05,120 --> 00:58:10,760 If one of the defendants decided to cooperate with law enforcement 742 00:58:12,920 --> 00:58:18,680 testify and possibly become a so-called repentant defendant, 743 00:58:19,000 --> 00:58:21,600 it could be aggravating for the others. 744 00:58:25,520 --> 00:58:31,080 Based on the information available, we were able to prove 745 00:58:32,000 --> 00:58:38,040 that those remanded into custody influenced those who remained at liberty, 746 00:58:38,360 --> 00:58:42,080 and other potential witnesses. 747 00:58:42,520 --> 00:58:46,640 They affected their decisions whether or not to testify and how. 748 00:58:46,720 --> 00:58:49,760 OFFICIAL WIRETAP RECORD 2212 / 11_01_2019 749 00:58:49,840 --> 00:58:53,200 I've read the file, man, it's all set up against me! 750 00:58:53,640 --> 00:58:58,000 If some idiot talks some more, I'm screwed. 751 00:59:01,080 --> 00:59:03,000 I can't really talk on the phone... 752 00:59:05,520 --> 00:59:08,840 That Smretcho bitch was talking shit 753 00:59:08,920 --> 00:59:11,800 about us doing the Mercedes. 754 00:59:11,880 --> 00:59:15,280 Do me a favour, I need you to nix it. 755 00:59:17,680 --> 00:59:19,520 I get it, a scent trail. 756 00:59:20,120 --> 00:59:22,600 Don't talk shit on the phone! 757 00:59:24,080 --> 00:59:27,560 All right, Gabi, anything you need. I'll sort it out. 758 00:59:27,640 --> 00:59:30,240 Consider it done. No worries. 759 01:00:10,000 --> 01:00:14,960 Except for calls between the accused and their defense counsel 760 01:00:15,040 --> 01:00:18,760 all other phone calls are recorded. 761 01:00:18,840 --> 01:00:24,880 They are audio-recorded, and in case of suspected obstruction or if needed 762 01:00:24,960 --> 01:00:30,760 the recordings are transcribed and added to the court file. 763 01:00:30,840 --> 01:00:35,040 We were able to substantiate this easily. 764 01:00:35,120 --> 01:00:39,560 Two or three months after their detention, based on this evidence, 765 01:00:40,200 --> 01:00:44,960 the prosecutor filed a motion for a preventive custody. 766 01:00:45,560 --> 01:00:50,200 This type of custody is very strict, no communication or visitors allowed, 767 01:00:50,280 --> 01:00:52,200 unless we grant such privilege. 768 01:00:52,280 --> 01:00:57,160 Given that we could demonstrate their active influence on witnesses 769 01:00:57,920 --> 01:01:02,520 or uncharged co-suspects at liberty, 770 01:01:02,840 --> 01:01:05,040 the court granted our request 771 01:01:05,120 --> 01:01:08,000 and converted the custody to a preventive measure. 772 01:01:10,560 --> 01:01:15,520 I hereby open the proceedings in criminal case 2 PV 21/17/1104-263. 773 01:01:19,520 --> 01:01:23,400 The court states 5-day preparation period was observed 774 01:01:23,920 --> 01:01:29,400 and all parties to the proceedings are present and legally instructed. 775 01:01:30,840 --> 01:01:35,280 I request the district prosecutor to present the indictment. 776 01:01:38,080 --> 01:01:41,720 Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Code § 234(1), 777 01:01:41,800 --> 01:01:47,360 I hereby file charges against R. Mikulík, A. Smrek, M. Dula, and B. Hrušovský, 778 01:01:47,680 --> 01:01:50,640 residing at the Correctional Facility at Chorvátska St. 5 779 01:01:50,720 --> 01:01:53,120 on suspicion of committing the crime of theft. 780 01:01:53,200 --> 01:01:58,160 The established facts suggest that the accused engaged in unlawful conduct 781 01:01:58,240 --> 01:02:02,760 by stealing 24 properly parked and locked motor vehicles, 782 01:02:03,200 --> 01:02:08,720 causing total damages of substantial amount of 164,417 euros. 783 01:02:09,200 --> 01:02:11,800 The criminal activity will mainly be proven by witness statements 784 01:02:11,880 --> 01:02:16,120 along with the seized stolen motor vehicles and parts, 785 01:02:16,640 --> 01:02:21,280 expert opinions, searches of homes and non-residential premises, 786 01:02:21,360 --> 01:02:26,520 the crime scene inspections, and further evidence in the investigation file. 787 01:02:26,840 --> 01:02:29,520 None of the accused confessed to the criminal activity, 788 01:02:29,600 --> 01:02:33,160 denying any involvement in the theft of motor vehicles. 789 01:02:33,520 --> 01:02:40,280 Accordingly, for all accused I propose the maximum sentence of 10 years. 790 01:02:45,360 --> 01:02:51,440 In the end, at the first hearing, they all made statements. 791 01:02:53,360 --> 01:02:58,720 The defendants wish to make a plea under Criminal Procedure Code § 257 792 01:02:58,800 --> 01:03:02,800 not denying committing the acts charged in the indictment. 793 01:03:03,280 --> 01:03:06,880 Defendants, you have the option to plead guilty, 794 01:03:06,960 --> 01:03:10,840 not guilty or no contest to the indictment. 795 01:03:10,920 --> 01:03:15,360 All defendants refused to cooperate with law enforcement, 796 01:03:15,920 --> 01:03:20,120 to testify and assist in the investigation of the criminal activities. 797 01:03:20,440 --> 01:03:25,240 They decided to plead guilty at the main hearing, 798 01:03:25,320 --> 01:03:27,880 which is indeed a very crafty tactic. 799 01:03:29,440 --> 01:03:31,320 I plead guilty. 800 01:03:34,320 --> 01:03:35,640 Guilty. 801 01:03:37,840 --> 01:03:38,920 Guilty. 802 01:03:40,920 --> 01:03:42,000 Guilty. 803 01:03:42,080 --> 01:03:44,320 De facto, they confessed to the charges. 804 01:03:44,400 --> 01:03:47,120 and only the sentence length was to be decided. 805 01:03:47,200 --> 01:03:51,720 A guilty plea is considered an expression of remorse 806 01:03:51,800 --> 01:03:53,400 an admission of guilt, 807 01:03:53,480 --> 01:03:56,560 which may result in a reduced sentence. 808 01:03:56,640 --> 01:04:00,600 The prosecution identified 29 victims, 809 01:04:01,120 --> 01:04:05,160 but unofficially the talk is of hundreds of vehicles. 810 01:04:05,240 --> 01:04:10,240 However, what matters is not what law enforcement knows or claims, 811 01:04:10,320 --> 01:04:11,960 but rather what it can prove. 812 01:04:12,040 --> 01:04:16,320 Strangely enough, they weren't recognized as an organized group, 813 01:04:16,400 --> 01:04:19,480 despite the fact that four persons were involved and it was proven 814 01:04:20,240 --> 01:04:23,160 they collaborated, did all of it together 815 01:04:23,960 --> 01:04:26,360 and we speak of a group already with two or three people. 816 01:04:26,680 --> 01:04:29,840 They were at least four, four ended up charged and indicted. 817 01:04:30,400 --> 01:04:34,400 Not being considered a group notably reduced their offense term. 818 01:04:34,920 --> 01:04:38,040 Clearly, this was an organized group 819 01:04:38,120 --> 01:04:41,160 with individual roles assigned 820 01:04:41,240 --> 01:04:46,840 such as a thief, starter, driver, parts dealer, and dismantlers. 821 01:04:48,040 --> 01:04:49,440 ŠTEFAN FARKAŠ HEAD OF HAKA CSO 822 01:04:49,520 --> 01:04:52,240 Then, specific tasks were assigned as to who dismantles the cars, 823 01:04:52,320 --> 01:04:56,240 who arranges for scrap disposal and through whom. 824 01:04:56,320 --> 01:05:00,840 When you cut up cars, there's scrap to be disposed of. 825 01:05:01,400 --> 01:05:08,080 Then, there were persons responsible for sales and distribution. 826 01:05:10,080 --> 01:05:11,760 JURAJ GAVALEC DEFENSE ATTORNEY OF THE ACCUSED 827 01:05:11,840 --> 01:05:14,520 Contrary to what you suggest in the media, 828 01:05:14,600 --> 01:05:17,080 the indictment doesn't imply that a group was involved. 829 01:05:17,160 --> 01:05:21,400 The indictment doesn't provide evidence the accused acted as an organized group. 830 01:05:21,480 --> 01:05:27,080 This may be due to insufficient evidence gathered during preliminary proceedings 831 01:05:27,160 --> 01:05:31,720 which would identify the task division or a clear hierarchy. 832 01:05:32,680 --> 01:05:35,640 Thus, it was not part of the indictment. 833 01:05:35,720 --> 01:05:37,160 All rise, please. 834 01:05:40,680 --> 01:05:43,480 The court pronounces the judgment on behalf of the Slovak Republic. 835 01:05:44,280 --> 01:05:49,280 Defendants Roman Mikulík, Adam Smrek, Patrik Dula, Branislav Hrušovský 836 01:05:49,360 --> 01:05:53,600 are found guilty of all counts of the indictment. 837 01:05:54,520 --> 01:05:57,880 For this they are sentenced as follows... 838 01:05:58,200 --> 01:06:01,480 The defendant Roman Mikulík, pursuant to § 212(3)... 839 01:06:01,920 --> 01:06:05,720 It's very surprising, unfortunately, negatively so. 840 01:06:05,800 --> 01:06:12,640 The sentences they got in relation to all the people they hurt are quite sad. 841 01:06:12,720 --> 01:06:15,480 They should have faced harsh consequences. 842 01:06:15,560 --> 01:06:19,560 I'm not happy with the decision and never will be. 843 01:06:19,640 --> 01:06:24,040 Two got off with probation, two got two years each. 844 01:06:25,000 --> 01:06:30,960 In their case, I'd say, it's almost laughable. 845 01:06:31,520 --> 01:06:35,680 I had the opportunity to read a few lines of the judgment, 846 01:06:37,560 --> 01:06:39,880 and I guess everyone must see what this is all about. 847 01:06:41,080 --> 01:06:46,720 Yet again, it shows the problem lies in the higher levels of government. 848 01:06:46,800 --> 01:06:49,040 The interesting thing about this case is, 849 01:06:49,120 --> 01:06:54,560 despite a months-long investigation by hundreds of police officers, 850 01:06:54,920 --> 01:06:57,480 the case was wrapped up in court in a matter of weeks. 851 01:06:57,560 --> 01:07:02,960 Thieves often receive outrageously lenient sentences 852 01:07:03,360 --> 01:07:07,520 while the compensation victims receive is minimal. 853 01:07:07,600 --> 01:07:10,840 Often, people can't even seek justice 854 01:07:10,920 --> 01:07:15,600 as the thieves are so cunning that, on paper, they appear to be homeless. 855 01:07:15,680 --> 01:07:21,320 I'm very disappointed about the judge's approach 856 01:07:21,400 --> 01:07:23,960 and the lenient sentences for them. 857 01:07:24,400 --> 01:07:30,320 The public might perceive prosecutor's failure to appeal 858 01:07:30,680 --> 01:07:33,560 as strange or unfair. 859 01:07:34,520 --> 01:07:39,240 It's difficult to assess his reasoning, though. 860 01:07:39,320 --> 01:07:44,040 He's entitled to waive the right to appeal. 861 01:07:44,120 --> 01:07:49,280 Maybe he was concerned about the burden of proof at the main hearing 862 01:07:49,360 --> 01:07:53,120 given the 5,000-page investigation file. 863 01:07:53,200 --> 01:07:57,840 Or just adhered to the principle 'justice delayed is justice denied.' 864 01:08:04,280 --> 01:08:07,320 I don't know what to think about it. 865 01:08:08,200 --> 01:08:12,000 In a few months, they'll be released. Well, then, anyone can do that. 866 01:08:12,680 --> 01:08:14,720 This must change, definitely. 867 01:08:15,400 --> 01:08:17,200 It can't work like this. 868 01:08:20,800 --> 01:08:23,320 Prison may change many people; 869 01:08:23,400 --> 01:08:26,360 and some may change to the worse. 870 01:08:26,440 --> 01:08:32,120 It's up to each of those guys whether they're able to live normally. 871 01:08:32,200 --> 01:08:35,200 As said, the car business is lucrative. 872 01:08:35,520 --> 01:08:38,760 Let's face it: it's quick money for relatively little work. 873 01:08:38,840 --> 01:08:42,920 Of course, there are risks involved, but look at the penalties. 874 01:08:43,640 --> 01:08:47,600 They're not that severe, so those people will always be tempted. 875 01:08:47,680 --> 01:08:50,920 To be honest, I'm not sure whether there's hope 876 01:08:51,000 --> 01:08:54,400 that they integrate into mainstream life. 877 01:08:54,960 --> 01:08:58,160 They were able to hurt so many people 878 01:08:58,640 --> 01:09:03,640 with no regard for the pain and damage they cause 879 01:09:04,080 --> 01:09:06,760 I'm rather sceptical about that. 880 01:09:09,840 --> 01:09:15,640 The number of stolen cars compared before and after the action shows 881 01:09:16,600 --> 01:09:22,880 the figures in the Bratislava IV district decreased by 80 %. 882 01:09:25,320 --> 01:09:29,360 Statistics also indicate a marked decrease across all of Bratislava, of course, 883 01:09:29,440 --> 01:09:32,600 and the situation has remained relatively stable since. 884 01:09:32,680 --> 01:09:36,360 This suggests a long-term effect. Up to now... 885 01:09:38,840 --> 01:09:41,400 PRESENT DAY 886 01:09:41,480 --> 01:09:44,760 More alternative punishments, fewer years behind bars, 887 01:09:44,840 --> 01:09:47,560 and lower penalties for property crimes. 888 01:09:47,640 --> 01:09:51,200 These are promises of the amended Penal Code designed by minister Karas. 889 01:09:51,280 --> 01:09:53,240 The amendments in the field of criminal law 890 01:09:53,320 --> 01:09:54,880 that you are about to vote on 891 01:09:54,960 --> 01:09:59,480 represent the most significant changes in the current penal policy of our state. 892 01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:04,440 If the amended Penal Code is passed in its current form... 893 01:10:04,520 --> 01:10:06,280 TOMÁŠ HERMAN INDEPENTENT LAWYER 894 01:10:06,360 --> 01:10:11,480 ...this type of offenders might get away with even lower sentences. 895 01:10:15,560 --> 01:10:21,040 The revised penalty rates could motivate car gangs to commit crime, 896 01:10:21,120 --> 01:10:25,600 since most motor vehicles are worth less than 30,000 euros, 897 01:10:25,680 --> 01:10:29,560 which is the new threshold under the proposed amendment. 898 01:10:30,840 --> 01:10:37,400 At the same time, in case of a suspended prison sentence 899 01:10:37,960 --> 01:10:41,600 the chance of a damage compensation for the victim is much higher, 900 01:10:41,680 --> 01:10:45,800 as this obligation usually is a part of the sentencing remedy. 901 01:10:47,320 --> 01:10:48,960 LUKÁŠ NEW CAR GANG VICTIM 902 01:10:49,040 --> 01:10:52,760 My name is Lukas, I'm a security officer and I was sold a dodgy Audi jigsaw. 903 01:10:53,240 --> 01:10:57,360 I purchased the car on January 29, 2024. 904 01:10:57,440 --> 01:11:01,160 I learnt the car was assembled from multiple components. 905 01:11:01,240 --> 01:11:05,000 from my mechanic specialized in repairing such vehicles. 906 01:11:06,760 --> 01:11:10,480 To my shock, I learned that the dealer 907 01:11:10,560 --> 01:11:14,080 was a member of the Leopoldov car gang. 908 01:11:21,000 --> 01:11:26,640 Even after the whole raid and court they still find the audacity 909 01:11:26,720 --> 01:11:31,760 to continue deceiving people in this way.