Masked robbery at a gas station in Hohen Neuendorf – police are looking for witnesses!

Masked robbery at a gas station in Hohen Neuendorf – police are looking for witnesses!

On the night of Tuesday, August 12, 2025, there was a robbery at a gas station in Hohen Neuendorf, Oberhavel district. A previously unknown, masked man forced his way into the gas station and threatened an employee with a “gun-like object.” Under pressure from this threat, the perpetrator demanded cash, which he then took with his own hands along with tobacco products before fleeing on foot. The police immediately initiated extensive searches, which have so far been unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing and the police are asking for information from the public to assist.

The description of the perpetrator suggests that he was between 1.75 and 1.80 meters tall, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a backwards baseball cap and a yellow high-visibility vest as face protection. Officers are urgently looking for witnesses who may have seen the suspect within sight of the gas station before 1 a.m. or in the area after the robbery. Information can be given directly to the Oberhavel police station on 03301 – 851-0 or via the online information portal of the state of Brandenburg, such as [maz-online.de].

Police crime statistics at a glance

This heist is coursing through the streets of the region, where gas station robberies have statistically fallen to an all-time low over the past year. The police crime statistics for 2024 recorded only 513 robberies, the lowest level since the reunification of Germany, according to ftg-bonn.de. However, an increase was observed in 2022 and 2023, which may be due to the end of coronavirus-related restrictions. This means that “perceived crime” is often higher than the actual figures suggest.

Safety developments in the industry also deserve special attention. Several gas stations have implemented security concepts, but the question remains whether these are solely responsible for the decline in robberies. Media reports about reduced cash purchases and the use of secure cash register systems contribute to the discussion about security at gas stations. Nevertheless, there is also a change in the so-called burglaries that take place in the dark, although the perpetrators here are of a completely different caliber.

The attack on August 12th in Hohen Neuendorf impressively shows that despite the difficult security situation and reduced crime figures, vigilance is still required, both on the part of the police and the population. If you saw or heard something, don't hesitate to reach out - your tips could be crucial.

For more information about the attack and the current investigation, please visit zeit.de.