Police have arrested four men in connection with the violent robbery of Willi Weber, the former manager of Michael Schumacher.
The suspects, aged between 32 and 55, were detained in Romania as part of an international operation. Authorities also searched the home of a further 31-year-old suspect, while additional searches were carried out in France and Germany.
Weber was targeted at his villa in Stuttgart last December. According to investigators, he was tied up alongside his wife and housekeeper while the intruders forced open several safes and removed their contents.
Police say cash and jewellery worth several hundred thousand euros were stolen during the raid.
The four arrested men have been remanded in custody and are expected to be transferred to Germany in due course.
Stuttgart's chief of police, Markus Eisenbraun, said: "The unprecedented ruthlessness with which the suspects acted has naturally increased the pressure on the investigation.
"Unfortunately, we cannot take away the feeling of defencelessness and bewilderment experienced by those affected, but we can ensure that no more people are subjected to such terrible attacks in their own homes."
Investigators believe Weber was not the only victim, alleging the group carried out similar robberies at the homes of several other couples.
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