Robbery in Prenzlauer Berg: Police catch perpetrator after attack!

Robbery in Prenzlauer Berg: Police catch perpetrator after attack!

On the night of October 29, 2025, an incident of predatory extortion occurred in Prenzlauer Berg, which once again brought the problem of juvenile crime in Germany into focus. The police arrested several suspects after they became active on Bernauer Strasse around 12:50 a.m.

According to initial information, two young men aged 18 and 20 were approached by a group consisting of several men and young people and asked to hand over their valuables. During the altercation, the attackers punched and kicked the two men. Under the pressure of the situation, the 18-year-old gave away cash and his wristwatch. The group then fled towards Eberswalder Straße.

Nearby arrests

The alerted police were able to arrest three suspected perpetrators in the vicinity of the crime. They are two 17-year-olds and a 22-year-old. However, after identification measures, they were released again while the investigations are being continued by the robbery commissioner of Police Directorate 1.

Both victims suffered only superficial injuries and had to be treated on an outpatient basis. This incident is in the context of increasing youth violence in Germany, which according to statistics reached its peak in 2024 with around 13,800 cases, more than twice as high as in 2016. The increase not only affects young people between the ages of 14 and 17, but also adolescents up to 20 years old. Statistics show that male perpetrators make up the majority of young suspects.

Causes of juvenile crime

The causes of rising youth crime are complex. The Federal Criminal Police Office cites psychological stress caused by the Corona measures and risk factors among young people seeking protection as possible explanations. There is also discussion about the effectiveness of tougher sanctions in juvenile criminal law or reducing the age of criminal responsibility as possible deterrent measures.

Greater prevention, particularly through child and youth welfare, is considered necessary to prevent criminal careers. In this context, the attack in Prenzlauer Berg once again highlights the challenges that young people and society as a whole are faced with. The police will continue to investigate intensively in order to track down the perpetrators and prevent future crimes.

For further information on this topic and the current security situation in Berlin, you can read the reports from berlin.de or that Berlin Sunday paper be consulted. Further statistics on juvenile crime can be found at Statista.