Car shock in Schmalkalden: Gray Opel Vivaro stolen! Police are looking for witnesses!

Car shock in Schmalkalden: Gray Opel Vivaro stolen! Police are looking for witnesses!

Kasseler Straße, Schmalkalden, Deutschland - A heavy car theft is currently shaking Schmalkalden. On Tuesday evening between 5:45 p.m. and Wednesday morning, a gray Opel Vivaro worth around 20,000 euros was stolen from a car dealership on Kasseler Strasse. In addition, two license plate boards of a customer vehicle parked there fell victim to the thieves. The perpetrators are previously unknown, and the police are urgently looking for witnesses who have noticed suspicious activities or can provide information on the whereabouts of the vehicle or the license plate.

According to the police, who published the message today, on July 10, 2025, at 10:47 a.m., information can be reported on 03693 591-0 and under file number 0176934/2025. Anne-Kathrin Seifert from the Thuringian police is also available for questions.

The current situation of the Autodiebstähle

This incident is part of a worrying trend: According to a statistics of the overall association of German insurers, the number of car theft in Germany in 2023 increased by almost 20 % compared to the previous year. Nationwide, 14,585 comprehensive insurance vehicles were stolen, which means economic damage of 310 million euros. Special hotspots for thefts are located in large cities such as Berlin, where a car disappears every two hours.

• 46 % of 46 % compared to 2022.
were stolen
• in Berlin
• to 10,000 comprehensive cars in Berlin, 42 thefts come, while the German average is only 4.
• The most dangerous federal states for car theft are Brandenburg, followed by Hamburg.
• particularly popular with thieves are toyota models with the Toyota Land Cruiser at the head of the theft statistics.

The numbers once again illustrate that car theft is a widespread problem that also requires sufficient prevention measures. In particular, owners of vehicles that are very popular with thieves should be particularly vigilant and find out about suitable protective measures.

The police in Schmalkalden appeals to the citizens to be attentive and to report immediately in the event of suspicious observations. The safety of one's own mobility should be a top priority.