Berlin – In the early hours of three consecutive mornings, an unidentified senior man using a rollator entered the Loretta Biergarten’s Christmas market at Wannsee and broke into several of its nine stalls, stealing cash, mobile phones, iPads and even a complete mulled‑wine tap system.
Night‑time break‑ins at the Loretta market
The first intrusion occurred on Thursday night around 04:00 a.m., when the man forced his way into the winter garden. According to event‑manager Daniel S., he first stole a keyring containing the master keys, which gave him access to the cash registers. He then took cash and a range of electronic devices.
Pattern of thefts
Two further raids followed on Sunday and Tuesday. Surveillance footage captured the suspect leaving the winter garden at 01:15 a.m. on Tuesday while emptying a cash register. In total, the burglar is said to have taken a whole mulled‑wine tap installation, smashed windows, forced open an office and damaged a cooling unit.
Impact on vendors
The combined loss across the affected stalls is estimated between €70,000 and €80,000. One grill‑stall operator, Bastian Pirschel, expressed concern that the thief might return, prompting several stall owners to stay overnight on the premises for added vigilance.
All locks have been replaced and an alarm system installed. Multiple police reports have been filed with the police. The Christmas market will remain open until 30 December.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who carried out the thefts?
The burglar is an unidentified senior man using a rollator; his identity has not been disclosed.
What items were stolen?
He stole a master‑key keyring, cash from registers, various electronic devices such as mobile phones and iPads, a complete mulled‑wine tap system, and caused property damage including broken windows and a damaged cooling unit.
How much damage did the incidents cause?
The total estimated loss across the affected stalls lies between €70,000 and €80,000.
What measures do you think could further protect seasonal markets from similar incidents?
