Violent robbery at Kottbusser Tor leaves victim unconscious and BVG staff injured
A 25-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening following a robbery and grievous bodily harm at Kottbusser Tor underground station. According to current investigations, the suspect allegedly approached a 22-year-old on the platform at around 7:50 PM, demanding money. When the victim refused, the older man is said to have punched him in the face, causing him to briefly lose consciousness. The assailant then reportedly took money from him before leaving the scene. A short time later, he returned and sprayed the victim with pepper spray before fleeing toward the station exit on Reichenberger Straße.
Staff from Berlin's public transport operator BVG, who witnessed the incident, gave chase but were also sprayed with pepper spray by the suspect. Despite this, they managed to detain the 25-year-old inside the station until police—who had been alerted—arrived and took him into custody. He was later handed over to Criminal Police Directorate 5, which has taken over the ongoing investigation. The suspect was carrying a mobile phone that had been reported as stolen; it was confiscated by authorities. The allegedly stolen money was not found on him.
The 22-year-old victim and three BVG employees—aged 29, 39, and 48—suffered eye irritation from the pepper spray and required medical treatment, mostly administered on-site. Only the 29-year-old was taken to a hospital for outpatient care. Three additional BVG staff, aged 38, 39, and 55, also reported eye irritation but did not need medical attention.
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