Authorities in Berlin are investigating a series of break-ins reported during a widespread power outage affecting several districts. While police state there has not been a significant surge in crime overall, a total of seven residential and four commercial burglaries have been recorded since the outage began.
Attempted ATM Theft Foiled
On Sunday evening, police successfully intervened to prevent a break-in at a cash machine on the Spanische Allee. Officers observed a man fleeing from the ATM towards a vehicle around 9:30 PM. Another individual then exited the vehicle and was apprehended nearby. The vehicle was subsequently stopped at a nearby highway on-ramp, where officers discovered burglary tools and arrested all three occupants. Evidence of attempted forced entry was found at the ATM.
Earlier Arrest and Seized Equipment
Prior to the attempted ATM theft, on Saturday, police arrested a 34-year-old man driving a van. During the arrest, officers recovered a specialized spreading device, burglary tools, and a radio. The driver was also found to be operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license.
The incidents come as Berlin continues to address the fallout from the large-scale power outage. While the immediate focus remains on restoring power, authorities are also maintaining a heightened security presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of crimes were reported during the power outage?
Police reported seven burglaries in residential buildings and four burglaries in commercial buildings since the start of the power outage.
Where did police prevent an ATM break-in?
Police prevented an ATM break-in on the Spanische Allee on Sunday evening.
What items were found in the van of the man arrested on Saturday?
Police found a specialized spreading device, burglary tools, and a radio in the van of the 34-year-old man arrested on Saturday.
As Berlin works to fully restore power, will increased security measures remain in place to deter further opportunistic crime?
