Eberswalde in shock: 300 cans of energy drink stolen!

Eberswalde in shock: 300 cans of energy drink stolen!

In the last week, police reported several incidents in Barnim that brought local security into focus. What is particularly alarming is the increase in thefts, especially of heat pumps, which are attracting more and more thieves.

So reported Barnim Current that on September 6, 2025, a 30-year-old man in Eberswalde stole over 300 cans of a popular energy drink from a hypermarket. Witnesses quickly alerted the police, who found the man near the crime scene. Unfortunately, he had already poured out most of the cans. The suspicion that he stole the cans because of the deposit shifted to the judiciary.

Just one day later, on September 8th, unknown perpetrators broke into five semi-detached houses on a construction site on Kirschenallee in Ahrensfelde and stole several heat pumps. This was not the first incident of this kind as police have noticed a similar trend in various states. n-tv reported an alarming increase in heat pump thefts in several federal states, including Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt. There were ten reported cases in Brandenburg in 2022, and the number of unreported cases is probably even higher.

A trend that doesn't seem to be stopping

A look at the nationwide situation shows that installing heat pumps in new buildings is particularly attractive for thieves. According to the South German newspaper 15 such thefts were registered last year, with nine cases already reported in Saxony-Anhalt alone in the first half of 2025. These thefts cause high damage in the lower six-figure range, such as the theft of a heat pump in Bautzen, which was reported to be worth 7,800 euros.

The police warn that many thefts occur on construction sites or in unfinished buildings, where these devices are often left unattended outdoors. To counteract these incidents, experts recommend securing construction sites with fences and video and alarm systems. The individual number of the device should also be noted to increase the chances of replacement.

Preventive measures are required

To prevent further thefts, crime experts suggest anchoring heat pumps with iron rods and special breakaway nuts. In Leipzig, for example, a heat pump weighing 350 kilograms was stolen from a construction site, which shows that the perpetrators are well organized and often use suitable vehicles.

With these developments regarding security in Barnim and beyond, one thing is certain: the population is required to remain vigilant and consider preventive measures to protect their property.