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Armed robbery in Wilstorf: Police are urgently looking for witnesses!
A stranger stole several thousand euros from a cigarette machine in Wilstorf and threatened employees with a knife. Police are looking for witnesses.
Armed robbery in Wilstorf: Police are urgently looking for witnesses!
A serious robbery occurred in the Cologne suburb of Wilstorf on Thursday morning. A 28-year-old employee of a cigarette vending machine was threatened at 8:45 a.m. by an unknown perpetrator who attacked him with a knife. The thieving monster stole a cash box containing several thousand euros in cash and then fled in an unknown direction. Despite an immediate search with several police vehicles and a motorcycle, the perpetrator remained undetected. The police are now asking for the public's help and are looking for witnesses who can provide information about the incident by calling 040/4286-56789 or at a police station.
The crime took place on Rote-Kreuz-Strasse and highlights the increasing crime in Germany. In 2022, around 5.63 million crimes were recorded, including over 38,000 robberies. Interestingly, the number of robberies has increased in recent years for the first time since 2015, which is alarming. North Rhine-Westphalia recorded over 23,500 home break-ins in the same year, which accounts for almost 35% of all cases in Germany. The clearance rate for robbery crimes was just under 60%, but higher than for residential burglaries, where it was only 16.1%, as the analysis by Statista shows.
Horrifying incidents in the region
The robbery in Wilstorf is not isolated. Just a few weeks ago, on May 23, 2025, a cigarette vending machine in Velbert-Neviges was blown open by unknown persons. In this incident, a resident heard a loud bang and observed two men stealing several packs of cigarettes from the machine before fleeing on foot towards Lilienstrasse. While the search with a police helicopter was unsuccessful, this incident illustrates the increasing willingness to use violence in thefts, as Presseportal reports.
The police are called upon to restore public safety and protect citizens. The current statistics show the increase in theft crimes, especially from cigarette machines, which are often the target of criminals. This dangerous behavior also impacts business owners, who not only fear financial losses but are also concerned about the safety of their employees.
It currently remains to be seen how the investigation into the attack in Wilstorf will continue. The police have high hopes for possible witnesses who can help solve the crime. Keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood can potentially help bring perpetrators to justice and prevent future robberies.