Attention, Worringen! Burglar with three-day stubble on the run!

Attention, Worringen! Burglar with three-day stubble on the run!

A break-in in Cologne-Worringen is causing a stir. The criminal police are looking for a suspected burglar who broke into a single-family home on Pletschbachweg on Saturday evening, January 25, 2025, around 7 p.m. The investigators assume that the perpetrator acted methodically because he first gained access to the garden before prying open the patio door and breaking into the interior of the house.

What might the perpetrator have been looking for? The loot is impressive: several wristwatches, pieces of jewelry and cash found their way into the perpetrator's pockets. As the Cologne police reported, the suspect was captured on video recordings with a noticeably narrow face and a three-day beard. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket and a light-colored cap, which may have helped him avoid being immediately recognized.

Public search

The police are asking the public for help. Mugshots of the wanted man were published, which can be found at: polizei.nrw/fahndung/171396 are visible. Information about the man's identity or whereabouts can be sent directly to the Criminal Investigation Department 72 on 0221 229-0 or by email poststelle.koeln@polizei.nrw.de be given. “Information from the public can be crucial in quickly catching the perpetrator,” said the investigators.

The incident in Worringen is part of a worrying trend. How Emergency call experts reported that the number of burglaries in Germany has increased in recent years. There were around 77,800 burglaries in 2023, an increase of 181 percent compared to the previous year. The autumn and winter months in particular pose a higher risk as darkness attracts many burglars.

Prevention is required

What can Cologne households do to protect themselves? Experts recommend high-quality mechanical security such as burglar-resistant windows and doors as well as modern security technology such as alarm systems and video surveillance. Almost every second burglary attempt fails because perpetrators take too long to get into the house. Investing in security systems is therefore not just a precautionary measure, but rather long-term protection.

The Cologne criminal police hope that the incident not only serves as a warning, but also as an impetus for greater security awareness in the neighborhood. The current case shows how important it is to be vigilant and to report suspicious people or events immediately. Together we can make our neighborhoods safer!