Modern Day Robin Hoods

[Camie]

http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=692762006

German 'Robin Hoods' give poor a taste of the high life

ALLAN HALL

IN BERLIN

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."

[Guest Neubeatz]

Can we do that here in adeedbird? o_O

[Birdman]

Before anyone interjects, I reckon what they are doing is a lot more wrong than right, but pretty funny, too.

The restaraunts they steal from are making a absolute killing, regardless.

[Davey_sc]

Wrong?

Of course, because taking food big restaurants won't miss and giving it to the poor who are evidently hungry is SO wrong.

[Hog]

There are better/other ways to help the poor so that nobody suffers however Im sure the restaurants are insured.

[Birdman]

There are better/other ways to help the poor so that nobody suffers however Im sure the restaurants are insured.

I like Patrick Bateman's approach:

HOMELESS MAN

(Shivering and sobbing)

I lost my job...

BATEMAN

Why? Were you drinking? Is that why you lost it?

Insider trading? Just joking. No' date=' really-were you drinking on

the job?

HOMELESS MAN I was fired. I was laid off.

BATEMAN

Gee, uh, that's too bad.

HOMELESS MAN

I'm so hungry.

The dog starts to whimper.

BATEMAN

Why don't you get another one? Why don't , you get another job?

HOMELESS MAN

I'm not...

BATEMAN

You're not what? Qualified for anything else?

HOMELESS MAN

I'm hungry

BATEMAN

I know that, I know that. Jeez, you're like a broken record.

I'm trying to help you.

HOMELESS MAN

I'm hungry.

BATEMAN

Listen, do you think it's fair to take money from people who

do have jobs? From people who do work?

HOMELESS MAN

What am I gonna do?

BATEMAN

Listen, what's your name?

HOMELESS MAN

Al.

BATEMAN

Speak up. Come on.

HOMELESS MAN

Al.

BATEMAN

Get a goddamn job, Al. You've got a negative attitude.

That's what's stopping you. You've got to get your act together.

I'll help you.

HOMELESS MAN

You re so kind, mister. You're kind. You're a kind

man. I can tell.

BATEMAN

(Petting the dog)

Shhhh...it's okay.

HOMELESS MAN

(Grabbing Bateman's wrist)

Please...I don know what to do. I'm so cold.

BATEMAN

(Stroking his face, whispering)

Do ,you know how bad you smell? The stench, my God.

HOMELESS MAN

I can't...I can't find a shelter

BATEMAN

You reek. You reek of...shit. Do you know that?

(Shouting)

Goddammit, Al-look at me and stop crying like some kind of

f*gg*t. Al...I'm sorry.

Bateman carefully puts the money back in his wallet.

BATEMAN

It's just that...I don't know I don't have anything in common

with you.

He opens his briefcase and pulls out a long thin knife with

a serrated edge. He pushes up the sleeve of his jacket to

protect it.

BATEMAN

Do you know what a fucking loser ,you are?[/color']

*stab stab stab*

Seriously, though, I think a lot of homeless people could help themselves if they hadn't such a massive fixation with smack.

[666]

But whatever their motives' date=' they are thieves, plain and simple.[/quote']

that`s what the Sherriff of Nottingham used to say as well