Mercedes driver stopped without a license – fire in Schönwalde!

Mercedes driver stopped without a license – fire in Schönwalde!

On Sunday night, a Mercedes was stopped on Goethestrasse in Rathenow whose 43-year-old driver was driving without a valid driver's license. The police prohibited further travel and initiated proceedings to take further steps. But that wasn't the only thing that concerned the officials this weekend.

A fire also broke out in Schönwalde-Glien on Sunday morning and caught the roof of a former barracks building. The fire department discovered rubbish as a possible source of the fire and did not rule out external influences. The police have started an investigation on suspicion of negligent arson. Where exactly is the problem here? The legal consequences of arson should not be underestimated. According to [Rechtsanwalt-Erhard.de](https://rechtsanwalt-erhard.de/brandstiftung-nach-%C2%A7-306-stgb-strafrechts-konequenen-und-defense strategies/), simple arson according to Section 306 of the Criminal Code can be punished with a prison sentence of one to ten years, which means that there is not only damage to property, but also risks to life and limb.

Arson in focus

Arson is a serious crime that often has far-reaching consequences. In addition to the punishment, there is also the risk of social stigmatization and potential claims for damages from those injured. In 2024, arson-related incidents were a big issue, as statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office show. The number of arson cases recorded by the police has been consistently high in recent years. An increase in documented arson incidents was noted between 2014 and 2024, with the reasons for these acts being complex, ranging from carelessness to intentional destruction.

The challenges that come with fighting arson cannot be underestimated for the police. It requires precise investigations and often technical analyzes to clarify the causes of a fire. This also happened in Schönwalde, where the police are now continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fire.

Burglaries and other crimes

But not only fires, but also break-ins kept the police in Falkensee on their toes. Between August 7th and 10th there were several break-ins in single-family homes. In one case, the perpetrators stole cash and valuables in the lower five-figure range. In another break-in on the night of August 9th to 10th, the burglars gained access via the terrace, although it is still unclear whether anything was stolen. Forensic science secured clues in both cases and is continuing to work on them.

In addition, there was a bizarre observation in Brandenburg an der Havel on Sunday evening. A man was found performing sexual acts in a cemetery with an alcohol level of 1.62 per mille. While the criminal police are investigating here, they also had to stop a 30-year-old who was also driving without a license under the influence of drugs. He had to undergo a blood test while his vehicle key was confiscated.

In this mixed situation, the police remain called upon to ensure security in the region and to counteract legal gray areas and the growing challenges posed by arson and burglaries.