33-Year-Old Arrested in Cologne for Purse Robberies

Cologne - A 33-year-old man was apprehended on March 13 in downtown Cologne after being identified by a task force as a suspect in multiple purse snatching incidents.

The individual, a Polish national, was captured at Neumarkt and is suspected of committing three separate robbery incidents. Investigators are currently evaluating whether he may be linked to additional crimes. He is scheduled to appear before an examining magistrate later the same day.

Since December 2024, there has been an alarming rise in purse thefts targeting elderly women across various neighborhoods, including Lindenthal, Sülz, Ehrenfeld, Bocklemünd, Nippes, Buchforst, and Braunsfeld. The ongoing investigations, aided by police surveillance footage, played a crucial role in the identification of the suspect.

The police have intensified their efforts to combat these types of crimes, which have caused significant concern among the community. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement.