A man has been detained in the south-western German city of Karlsruhe after police said he had admitted scratching and damaging about 260 cars within a few days.

The damage to the vehicles amounted to more than 500,000 euros (549,000 U. S. dollars).

The 28-year-old turned himself in to the police on Monday and admitted causing the damage.

He explained that he was jealous of car owners and had “personal problems,” the police statement said.

The mostly high-value cars parked in the centre of Karlsruhe, the Germany’s highest criminal and constitutional courts were scratched between Friday and Sunday.

The suspect already has a criminal record and was released from prison in July 2021, police said. (dpa/NAN)