Thieves' tour in Amberg: keys and jewelry in their sights!

Thieves' tour in Amberg: keys and jewelry in their sights!

On Thursday, Amberg city center suffered from a series of thefts that alarmed the community. How Ramasuri reported, a bundle containing numerous keys was stolen from a janitorial service vehicle. But that was just the beginning. In a shop on Rathausstrasse, the perpetrator tried to open several display cases with a key, but ultimately resorted to the violent method and pried open a display case. He stole a necklace worth over 400 euros. The thief didn't let up on Georgenstrasse either and stole an alarm-protected smartwatch.

The police are now intensively searching for the suspect. Investigators believe the same man was behind these crimes because a surveillance camera showed him in action. The suspect also has a relevant criminal history. The recordings are now a crucial piece of evidence in the search.

Growing crime in Bavaria

The incidents in Amberg are not an isolated case, on the contrary, they are part of a larger problem. A recent analysis of tz.de shows that crime in Bavaria will have risen to an alarming level in 2023. With 6,900 cases of shoplifting, the highest level since 2009 was reached. The Interior Minister of Bavaria, Joachim Herrmann (CSU), expressed concern about this development and the fact that the number of crimes rose to 583,068, an increase of 2.4 percent. What is particularly frightening is the proportion of non-German suspects, which has now risen to almost 40 percent.

Further evidence of the worrying situation is the increase in residential burglaries, which rose by 20.8 percent to a total of 3,436 crimes. The number of unreported cases is probably even higher, as many attacks are not even reported.

Investigations and conclusions

The extent of crime in the Free State also has a negative impact on police work. A current case that has occupied the police in Mindelheim shows that a 30-year-old perpetrator is behind over 50 thefts and is already in custody. His criminal career began after a theft of money at a football match in July 2024. Meticulous investigations led to his identification, with crucial clues coming from conspicuous tattoos on surveillance camera footage. Additional stolen property was recovered during house searches.

Despite all the police's successes, there are still many unanswered questions and a high level of unrest among the population. Investigators are optimistic that they will be able to stem the wave of thefts. In the meantime, all citizens can do is remain vigilant and keep a close eye on their valuables.

Current incidents and statistics show how quickly the feeling of security in cities can change. A society that relies on the protection of its citizens beckons in tough times.