Kreuzberg in shock: 22-year-old hits refugees with a weapon!

Kreuzberg in shock: 22-year-old hits refugees with a weapon!

Yesterday, Thursday afternoon, a 22-year-old man was arrested in Berlin-Kreuzberg after he tried to rob another young man, also 22 years old. The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Obentrautstrasse and Mehringdamm. The suspect demanded cash from his victim, who refused and tried to remove himself from the situation. The attacker then showed the handle of a handgun, which led to a turning point in the argument.

When the victim tried to flee into a nearby store, the suspect struck him in the head with the weapon, causing a hematoma. Although the young man suffered injuries, he initially refused to seek medical treatment. However, immediately after the crime, the police were able to arrest the suspect near the crime scene. During the arrest, a live pistol with an inserted magazine and cartridges was recovered. The arrested man had already appeared for another robbery offense and there was an arrest warrant against him.

Investigations and legal action

After his arrest, the 22-year-old was taken into police custody, where he had to undergo identification and blood sampling. Today he is to be brought before an investigating judge who will decide whether to issue a further arrest warrant based on the current crime. Further investigations are being carried out by a specialist from Police Department 5 (City) in order to fully clarify the background to the robbery.

The recent incidents in Berlin reflect a worrying trend. According to the latest crime statistics for 2024, there were a total of almost 540,000 recorded crimes in Berlin, representing a slight increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year. What is particularly striking is the increase in politically motivated crimes, which has increased sharply in recent years. The publication of these statistics by Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) and Police Chief Barbara Slowik Meisel underlines the challenges facing the security authorities.

In this context, the increase in physical injuries and violent attacks by youth groups are also worrying. Berlin has experienced an increasing number of robberies and other violent crimes in recent months, which is why the response of the police and judiciary in cases such as the current attack on a 22-year-old is particularly urgent.

The topicality of these topics makes it clear that both citizens and authorities are required to increasingly address the challenges of inner-city security. New approaches to prevention and intervention may be necessary to get crime under control and ensure the safety of Berlin's residents.

Further information about the incident and the ongoing investigation is included in the reports Berlin.de and Day24 to find.

For a comprehensive overview of the general security situation in the capital and the relevant statistical data, we recommend taking a look at the analysis rbb24.