Berlin's Steglitz hit by audacious smash-and-grab jewellery heist at dawn
A bold smash-and-grab raid took place in Berlin's Steglitz district early on Monday. Three burglars broke into a department store, stealing jewellery and watches before escaping. The incident follows a rising trend of similar crimes across the city over the past year. The burglary began at around 3:30 a.m. when the suspects used a car to ram through the locked doors of the building. Once inside, they shattered multiple display cases, grabbing high-value items before fleeing the scene.
The thieves abandoned their getaway vehicle at the store but had a second car waiting nearby. They managed to escape just moments before police arrived. Berlin has seen a sharp increase in such raids over the last 12 months. Between March 2025 and March 2026, around 150 similar incidents were recorded, with districts like Mitte and Neukölln experiencing the highest rise. Many involved violent break-ins at jewellers or shops, often using vehicles to force entry.
The stolen goods included watches and jewellery, though their exact value remains unclear. Police are investigating the incident as part of a broader pattern of organised retail burglaries in the capital. Authorities have yet to make any arrests in connection with Monday's raid.
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