SLAM PUNK: Security Guard On Trial For Stealing Basketball Star Dennis Schroeder’s GBP 53k Watch

A former security guard has gone on trial in Germany for stealing basketball star Dennis Schroeder’s watch worth more than GBP 50,000 from his locker.

Schroeder was playing with the German national basketball team against their Italian counterparts in a match in 2018 when the crime is said to have happened.

The security guard – named only as Manzor A. under local privacy laws – is accused of using a master key to get into the German team’s lockers and rifle through the players’ belongings.

Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Dennis Schroder, 29, poses in undated photo. Trial against offender Manzor A., 32, for stealing the player’s luxury watch worth EUR 61,000 (GBP 53,390) during a game began on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (Newsflash)

It was only after the game that Schroeder’s teammate Karsten Tadda, 33, noticed that his MCM backpack, Gucci toiletry bag, and Bose sound box were gone.

The items were worth EUR 950 (GBP 829), EUR 600 (GBP 524), and EUR 200 (GBP 175) respectively.

Five days later, Schroeder went to police after he noticed his Audemars Piguet watch – worth a whopping EUR 61,000 (GBP 53,200) – was also missing.

Offender Manzor A., 32, poses in undated photo. The trial against him for stealing Dennis Schroder’s luxury watch worth EUR 61,000 (GBP 53,390) during a game began on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (Newsflash)

Cops later found Tadda’s belongings in the suspect’s car. But the watch was nowhere to be found.

Manzor A., 32, appeared at Hamburg-Harburg District Court on 12th October. Tadda was unable to attend because of an important game.

Schroeder did not attend either, as he now lives in Los Angeles, where he plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Dennis Schroder, 29, poses in undated photo. Trial against offender Manzor A., 32, for stealing the player’s luxury watch worth EUR 61,000 (GBP 53,390) during a game began on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (Newsflash)

Regarding the recovered belongings, the presiding judge said: “Hard facts suggest that the accused had something to do with it.”

But on the missing Swiss timepiece, he added: “As for the watch, I don’t have anything tangible at the moment.”

Regarding Schroeder’s non-appearance, the judge quipped: “The gentleman has a lot of money. He must have forgotten the watch a long time ago.”

Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Dennis Schroder, 29, poses in undated photo. Trial against offender Manzor A., 32, for stealing the player’s luxury watch worth EUR 61,000 (GBP 53,390) during a game began on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. (Newsflash)

The defendant exercised his right to remain silent during the hearing.

The trial continues.