Burglar in Stuttgart East: Confused excuse after opening the door!

Burglar in Stuttgart East: Confused excuse after opening the door!

On the night of June 8, 2025, a woman in Stuttgart-East became the victim of an extraordinary burglary that raises questions about security in the city and the psychological stress on those affected. The incident occurred at 1:20 a.m. on Landhausstrasse when a previously unknown man violently opened the door to the woman's apartment. But instead of making a move, the burglar apologized and claimed he was “mistaken in the apartment” before fleeing on foot. The Stuttgart police are now looking for witnesses who can provide information about the perpetrator, who was around 20 to 40 years old, was 1.80 meters tall and was wearing a light-colored T-shirt.

Despite the bizarre circumstances, the resident of the property was uninjured but was understandably in shock. Such incidents are rare in Stuttgart, which is considered one of the safer cities in Germany. In 2024, 207 completed and 179 attempted residential burglaries were registered in the city, with most cases occurring in the Bad Cannstatt district. A worrying trend shows that the number of burglaries in Baden-Württemberg has increased to around 5,280, representing a nationwide increase of 18% compared to the previous year.

Burglaries and their psychological effects

Burglaries not only have material but also massive psychological consequences for the victims. According to the taz A study has shown that 20% of burglary victims consider leaving their home after a break-in. Those affected often suffer from anxiety, sleep disorders and other stress symptoms. A woman from Berlin who recently experienced a similar trauma describes the ongoing mistrust and discomfort in her own apartment after the incident. Experts emphasize that break-ins often result in a symbolic loss of security and protection for those affected.

The psychosocial consequences are so serious that aid organizations such as the “Weiße Ring” offer debriefings and coaching for burglary victims. These offers can help to heal the psychological wounds after a break-in and give people back a feeling of security.

Safety practices and prevention strategies

The police recommend various security measures to prevent break-ins. These include burglary-resistant window and door locks as well as security cylinders with drilling protection. Modern technology, such as motion detectors and video surveillance, also plays an important role. In fact, over a third of burglaries fail at the experimental stage. Ground floor apartments and properties with inadequate security are particularly often affected. In addition, the perpetrator structure varies; While some burglars act spontaneously, others are well-organized groups, often from Eastern Europe.

The discussion about burglaries and their effects could also lead to a rethink in society. Social control by neighbors, for example through platforms like “Nebenan.de”, seems to be a reliable and effective approach to reducing the rate of burglaries. A former burglar points out that most of his colleagues are more interested in quick cash than long-term wealth.

The incidents in Stuttgart encourage reflection on personal safety and responsibility towards one's own neighborhood, especially in times of increasing burglary numbers and changing perpetrator structures.