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Spectacular ATM explosion in Zwickau: perpetrator without any loot!
In Zwickau, three perpetrators blew up an ATM, but they fled without any loot. Police quickly investigated and arrested two.
Spectacular ATM explosion in Zwickau: perpetrator without any loot!
In the early morning of August 2, 2025, an ATM at the Volksbank in Zwickau exploded, specifically on Jacob-Leupold-Straße. According to [Freie Presse](https://www.freipresse.de/zwickau/zwickau/ge Sprengter-geldautomat-in-zwickau-planitz-ermittler-waren-der-niederlaendischen-bande-quer-durch-die- Republik-gefollowed-artikel13986656) it was at 3:21 a.m. when a loud bang woke the residents in Planitz from their sleep. Three men were after the cash box, but their plan was unsuccessful because they were unable to steal the money.
As [Radio Zwickau](https://www.radiozwickau.de/teil/geldautomat-in-zwickau-ge Sprengt-873951/) reports, concerned residents immediately alerted the police, who arrived at the scene with a helicopter and civilian investigators. The investigators quickly tied up two of the perpetrators, aged 25 and 27, both from the Netherlands. An arrest warrant was issued for her on Saturday evening. Actually, they were just supposed to make a safe escape, but the getaway car and two police vehicles were damaged during the operation.
The destruction and further discoveries
The explosion severely damaged not only the ATM but also the surrounding building. Two businesses - a hearing care professional and an insurance company - remain closed for the time being, which means difficult business for the affected entrepreneurs. The police estimate the damage caused at around 200,000 euros. The intervention of the Technical Relief Agency was necessary to statically support and secure the building.
The search of the crime scene also revealed that two unactivated explosive devices were found there. These were removed by specialists from the State Criminal Police Office and blown up in a controlled manner to avoid further danger.
Insights into the current situation of ATM explosions
ATM explosions are an increasing problem in Germany. According to the latest figures from the Federal Criminal Police Office, a total of 461 such explosions were registered in 2023, representing a decrease of 7.1% compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the amount of cash stolen remains high at 28.4 million euros, even if the level has fallen slightly. The reason for this could be, among other things, the increasing security through preventive measures taken by banks.
The perpetrators, many of them part of professionally organized gangs, often come from abroad, especially from the Netherlands. A major problem is that 87% of explosions are carried out with explosive materials that generate high detonation energy. This is also associated with a high level of violence on the part of the suspects, which repeatedly leads to dangerous escape maneuvers.
Politicians are reacting to this worrying development: The federal government plans to increase the penalties for blowing up ATMs to at least two years' imprisonment and to make changes to the Explosives Act. It remains to be hoped that these measures will bear fruit and that the population will soon be spared from such dangerous incidents.