The 54-year-old driver of a car that rammed into the gate outside Chancellor Angela Merkel's office committed a similar offence in the Berlin government district in 2014, sources involved in the investigation say.
German police detained a man after a car with political statements scrawled on its sides was driven into the gate of Merkel's office in Berlin on Wednesday.
One side read, "You damned children and old people murderers" and the other, "Stop globalisation politics".
In February 2014, the same car, bearing a message about the dangers of climate change as well as the words, "Nicole I love you," struck the gate to the chancellery.
Police refused to confirm the connection.
Police spokesman Thilo Cablitz said the reason for the stunt was still unclear, noting that investigators were looking into the man's mental health as well as a possible political motive.
Australian Associated Press
