Burglary on Königsallee: Cigars worth 60,000 euros stolen!

Burglary on Königsallee: Cigars worth 60,000 euros stolen!

On the night of Tuesday, June 10th, a brazen break-in occurred at a cigar shop on Düsseldorf's iconic Königsallee. Unknown perpetrators gained access to the specialty store by drilling a hole in the wall of an adjacent store that had previously been empty. They stole cigars worth around 60,000 euros from the walk-in humidor of the store, which belongs to Wolsdorff Tobacco GmbH, a subsidiary of the Swiss Oettinger Holding. The burglars disappeared in an unknown direction, and the Düsseldorf police are now asking witnesses for information on 0211 870 0 at the Criminal Police Office 14.

What is striking is how professionally the perpetrators acted. They used Blumenstrasse to get to an empty shop in the Kö-Center. They then pried open a massive wall, which suggests that heavy equipment was used here. Residents and passers-by noticed nothing unusual during the night's work, which underlines the audacity of the break-in. The incident represents a massive challenge for business owners - not only because of the extensive damage, but also because of the damaged infrastructure, which requires extensive repairs.

Security situation on Königsallee

Königsallee, a center of local commerce, has suffered from similar crimes in the past. Andrea Greuner, managing director of the Königsallee interest group, expressed concerns about security in the area. According to their statements, there were ten burglaries in 2023 and eleven in 2024, which makes the situation worrying. In particular, the increase in the number of burglaries, which according to the 2024 burglary statistics in North Rhine-Westphalia rose by a total of 15%, is a cause for concern. The protected environment that many retailers want does not always seem to be guaranteed.

In conversations with neighbors, like Dany Piehl, owner of a fashion shop right next to the cigar shop, it becomes clear that the neighboring shops in particular are particularly concerned about their safety. Piehl emphasizes that they are in close contact with other retailers about security measures in order to be able to react better to abnormalities. Nevertheless, the question of police visibility remains a hot topic, especially at night. Greuner is calling for an increased police presence in order to meet the sense of security among retailers and customers.

The current burglary situation in Germany

Beyond local conditions, the burglary statistics for 2024 show an alarming trend in Germany. In 2023, 77,819 residential burglaries were recorded, an increase of 18% compared to the previous year. The numbers are higher in large cities - uncertainty is increasing, especially in urban regions such as North Rhine-Westphalia, which record the highest number of burglaries. On average, a break-in causes damage of around 3,500 euros. Such figures not only illustrate the need for preventive measures, but also how important communication between business owners and the police is.

In times when break-ins and the associated damage are coming back into focus, a good knack for security is required. The combination of mechanical and electronic security measures is becoming increasingly important in deterring potential perpetrators. Given the current situation on Königsallee, it remains to be seen what steps retailers will take to be better protected in the future.