Shock in Bernau: Burglar caught at parking machine!

Shock in Bernau: Burglar caught at parking machine!

In recent days, the Brandenburg region has been rocked by several criminal incidents that not only question the safety of citizens, but also pose challenges for the police. The events range from attempted break-ins to violent arguments.

A particularly striking incident occurred on December 22, 2025 shortly before 3:00 a.m. in Bernau near Berlin. A witness observed an unknown person at the pay machine in a parking garage on Ladeburger Chaussee, who broke the machine open. Thanks to the careful witness, the police were able to intervene quickly and catch the 41-year-old suspect. He not only had the stolen goods with him, but also the appropriate tools. After the arrest, his personal details were recorded and identification processing followed at the police station. Such incidents, which affect the population's sense of security, speak volumes about the alarming development of crime in the region, as Barnim Aktuell also notes.

Burglary attempts are increasing

The police also reported an attempted break-in into a single-family home in Panketal on the evening of December 20th. The unknown perpetrators wanted to break into the house in Zepernick, but their impending crime was thwarted when the alarm system was triggered. The police then filed a complaint and secured evidence.

Burglaries, particularly into residential buildings, have become a serious problem across the country. The numbers have increased after the corona pandemic, and in 2023 around 119,000 thefts in and from apartments were registered in Germany. Of these, approximately 77,800 were classified as residential burglaries, indicating an increased risk of these crimes. This can also be linked to a social phenomenon that has been discussed for a long time: security within one's own four walls is a cause for concern for many people. According to Statista, the clearance rate for residential burglaries in 2023 is also worrying at 14.9%, compared to the overall rate for all crimes, which is 58.4%.

Violent clashes in Bernau

But it's not just thefts that make headlines. On the night of December 20th, a 24-year-old man was found seriously injured in an apartment in Bernau. After a gathering of several people at which alcohol was consumed, an argument broke out in which a knife may even have been involved. Police temporarily arrested two suspects, a 24-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, while the injured man was taken to hospital. The investigation continues and shows once again that alcohol-related violence is not just an urban problem, but can also occur in smaller towns.

Another burglary of an unpleasant nature took place in Eberswalde on the night of December 21st. Here, unknown people broke into a warehouse on Schappachweg and stole a chainsaw and tools that had been prepared for removal. However, the perpetrators may have been disturbed in their plans, as witnesses found the stolen goods on December 21st and informed the police. The damage was estimated at around 500 euros.

These incidents highlight the importance of considering safety measures in your home and neighborhood. With strong cohesion and vigilant neighbors, such acts can be counteracted and the crime rate hopefully reduced again, as Barnim Aktuell and other writers from the region emphasize.