Suche
Mein Konto
Former hotel employee sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for arson
A former hotel employee in Trassenheide was convicted of arsoning four cars. Total damage: 120,000 euros.
Former hotel employee sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for arson
A disturbing incident recently shook the idyll of Trassenheide on Usedom. In January, a 29-year-old former employee of a family hotel set four cars on fire out of desperation, causing total damage of around 120,000 euros. The Greifswald district court has now imposed a prison sentence of two and a half years for intentional arson. [NDR]. As it turns out, the convict had been dismissed without notice a week before the crime - he was accused of sexual harassment of female colleagues.
After his livelihood was deprived, the defendant stated that he had committed the crimes out of a desperate situation: he wanted to go to prison so that he could at least have a roof over his head. He used grill lighters as an accelerant and stated that after his termination he first traveled to Berlin and returned to Trassenheide a short time later. Witnesses observed the arson and immediately informed the police. The man was arrested at Trassenheide train station and has been in custody ever since. Nordkurier quotes hotel operator Frank Römer, who emphasizes that the incident was quickly and safely contained: “The rescue chain worked well.” Holidaymakers whose vehicles were damaged also received support, with some finding free hotel shelter until their journeys home could be sorted.
A look at the numbers
In 2023, around 14,200 car fires were registered in Germany, resulting in damage amounting to around 100 million euros. Statista reports that these numbers show a worrying trend. The General Association of the German Insurance Industry recommends not parking vehicles near busy places over the holidays. The verdict against the arsonist is not yet final and could be reviewed in the near future, while the hotel owners hope that regular guests will return despite the incident.
The incidents surrounding the arson and the associated fears show once again how important it is to ensure safety and good coexistence. The Hotel Seeklause has already announced the opening of a new play tower and would like to continue to create safe holiday offers with a security concept.