Tricksters strike in Kassel: Seniors and businesses in their sights!

Tricksters strike in Kassel: Seniors and businesses in their sights!

On Thursday morning, June 13, 2025, an incident in Kassel-Niederzwehren caused a stir. How nh24 Reportedly, two unknown perpetrators entered the apartment of a senior citizen on Leuschnerstrasse. One of the two pretended to be a water worker and pretended to have to check the pH value of the tap water. While the elderly woman accompanied the supposed craftsman, his accomplice sneaked into the apartment unnoticed and stole several pieces of jewelry. The woman concerned only noticed the theft later.

The fake repairman was described as being around 1.75 meters tall and wearing a checked shirt. The police are investigating and receiving tips from the public.

Trick theft on the rise

This incident is one of the most common forms of theft, trick theft, in which perpetrators distract and deceive their victims. A typical feature of this method is that the perpetrators often appear friendly and helpful, which inspires trust, especially among older people. How fachanwalt.de As explained, trick theft is treated as theft under German law, with penalties ranging up to five years in prison depending on the case. Typical tricks include the “glass of water trick” or pretending to be an official.

In 2022, the number of recorded theft crimes in Germany rose to around 1.78 million, which represents an alarming increase compared to previous years statista.com reported. The situation is particularly tense in North Rhine-Westphalia, where over 23,500 residential burglaries were recorded each year.

Further crimes in Kassel

But the Kassel police didn't just have to deal with trick thefts on Thursday. On Friday night, a 46-year-old man was arrested after breaking into an electronics store in the city center. The man entered the store via a canopy, where he caused extensive damage to the walls and electrical appliances. He was confronted by police officers as they left the building after the alarm went off.

But that wasn't the only incident: On Thursday there was also a traffic accident on the L 3311 near Baunatal-Rengershausen in which a black Mercedes Viano overtook a female Audi driver and hit her. The person who caused the accident continued his journey and insulted the victim with an obscene gesture. The police are asking for information from witnesses in this context.

On Friday morning around 3 a.m., an unknown person was disturbed while trying to steal copper sheets from a roof in Kassel's Aschrottpark. Despite the police's quick alarm, the perpetrator managed to escape, but was described as 25 to 35 years old, around 1.80 meters tall and wearing dark clothing. The material damage amounts to several thousand euros.

Crime statistics show that over 1.78 million cases were recorded in theft alone in 2022, highlighting the need for increased vigilance against such crimes. The people of Cologne are therefore asked to inform the police immediately if they observe anything suspicious and to be careful, especially with regard to potential fraudsters.