Dark coupes on a thieving spree: Police hunt burglars in the Rhein-Erft district!

Dark coupes on a thieving spree: Police hunt burglars in the Rhein-Erft district!

The police in the Rhein-Erft district are currently facing an increased wave of break-ins, which is causing concern among residents. On the night of Monday, June 30, 2025, at least two unknown people broke into a hypermarket in Kerpen and were able to escape with a dark sports car and a delivery van news.de reported. An hour later, around 3:40 a.m., three masked perpetrators tried to get into a gas station in Erftstadt. While they used a manhole cover to force open the sliding door, they failed to get through another door and fled in a dark coupe. The investigation into this case is being carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department 22, and the police are asking witnesses to contact them on 02271 81-0.

Insights into the current situation show that burglary crime is a growing problem in Germany. In 2023 alone, 119,000 thefts in or from apartments were recorded, with the clearance rate falling to a record low of 14.9% Statista determines. This not only has a negative impact on citizens' sense of security, but also has psychological consequences.

Police strategic measures

To counteract this worrying development, the police in the Rhein-Erft district have already taken measures. On the night of Friday, May 23rd, additional checks were carried out specifically targeting car burglars who were targeting craftsmen's vehicles. By mid-May, 150 new thefts were recorded, bringing the total to around 200 in the first quarter, according to the Review reported.

The police are relying on the newly introduced “strategic search”, which enables expanded powers to control vehicles. This measure was approved by District Administrator Frank Rock and is aimed at stopping perpetrators who mostly work in the dark and steal expensive tools.

Advice for tradespeople and the community

Police management recommends that tradesmen not leave valuables in their vehicles to minimize the risk of theft. Peter Ropertz, the general manager of the Rhein-Erft district craft association, also expressed his thanks for the police measures. It is heartening to note that, despite claims of anti-crime efforts, many other crimes were also discovered during these checks.

Overall, it is an issue that affects all Cologne residents and speaks to the need to remain vigilant. The measures taken and the increased controls appear to be starting to bear fruit. The police hope that with the ongoing investigations and support from Cologne, Düren, Aachen, Bonn and the Rhein-Sieg district, they will be able to stop the perpetrators and prevent further crimes.