accomplice
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accomplice
A person who helps another person plan or carry out a crime or a reprehensible act; a partner in crime.
Die Polizei verhaftete den Bankräuber und seinen Komplizen, der das Fluchtauto fuhr.
The police arrested the bank robber and his accomplice, who drove the getaway car.
'Komplize' (accomplice) is a noun of the N-declension. This means it takes the ending '-n' in all cases except the nominative singular.
Die Polizei konnte den Komplizen des Räubers identifizieren.
The police were able to identify the robber's accomplice.
The word 'Komplize' (accomplice) is used almost exclusively in the context of crimes or morally reprehensible actions. It always describes a negative role of helping someone.
Er machte sich zum Komplizen, indem er bei dem Betrug half.
He made himself an accomplice by helping with the fraud.
Common verbs used with 'Komplize' (accomplice) are 'einen Komplizen haben' (to have an accomplice), 'einen Komplizen festnehmen' (to arrest an accomplice), or 'als Komplize gelten' (to be considered an accomplice).
Der Dieb wurde verhaftet, aber sein Komplize ist noch flüchtig.
The thief was arrested, but his accomplice is still at large.
perpetrator / culprit
'der Täter' and 'der Komplize' both belong in situations where someone does something forbidden or wrong. The difference is in the role. 'Der Täter' is the person who committed the act or is responsible for the action. 'Der Komplize' helps with the act, for example with planning or carrying it out. When several people are involved, the words can easily be confused. The key point is: the Täter is at the center of the act; the Komplize supports him or takes part.
Der Komplize wartete im Auto und half dem Täter bei der Flucht.
The accomplice waited in the car and helped the perpetrator escape.
Die Kamera zeigte den Täter, als er aus dem Geschäft lief.
The camera showed the perpetrator as he ran out of the store.