Kassel (dpa/lhe) - Two quick-witted paramedics put a spanner in the works for vehicle thieves in Kassel. Two previously unknown perpetrators were aiming for a van in a parking lot on Sunday, the police said on Monday. A 57-year-old man was driving the vehicle and parked it in a parking lot. As the 57-year-old later reported to the police, one of the perpetrators knocked on the window on the passenger side and asked for money for beer. Then the second perpetrator suddenly opened the driver's door and hit the victim in the head with an object.

When the 57-year-old was pursuing the man, the second perpetrator got behind the wheel and wanted to drive off with the van. But the paramedics, who just drove by with their ambulance, had noticed the whole thing and, according to the police, parked the exit of the parking lot. The police said the theft was prevented. The second perpetrator then fled on foot, but there is still no trace of either of them.