Wiesbaden and Mainz faced unsettling incidents as the New Year's celebrations turned chaotic with the vandalization of multiple cigarette vending machines. Shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve, witnesses reported seeing several men, dressed entirely in black, blowing up these machines, leaving the streets littered with scattered cigarette packs.
Local police swiftly responded to the scene but found the suspects had already fled. The area surrounding the cigarette machines, like those on Pelzerstraße and the suburb of Dotzheim, turned from celebratory to distressing as property damage unfolded.
The Mainz police spokesperson, Markus Weyerhäuser, detailed the earliest incident saying, "It was shortly after 0 o'clock when the cigarette vending machine was blown up; there’s already reason to assume a connection to the celebration." Damage was reported as cigarette packets were strewn across the streets, raising community concerns about public safety.
Two additional vending machines were targeted the same night. One was located between Mainz-Kastel and Amöneburg, and another was hit in Dotzheim, where thieves made off with €5,000 worth of cigarettes and cash. Investigators described significant damage to these machines, estimating about €3,000 lost at one site due to the vandalism, but specifics on the explosives used for the destruction remain unclear.
Authorities speculate it couldn't have been caused by simply tossing fireworks at the machines. While the police continue their investigation, they’ve not ruled out the possibility of these incidents being connected, though geographical distances may complicate things. "There are many kilometers separating these locations and many more vending machines throughout the area," Weyerhäuser noted, emphasizing the extensive nature of these acts.
The chilling series of events has raised alarms among local residents and authorities alike, as they work to determine the perpetrators and the reasons behind these criminal acts amid what was meant to be festive celebrations. The seeming rise of such destructive behavior during the New Year prompts inquiries about community safety and potential connections to wider crime trends during holiday periods.
This year's New Year's Eve was certainly marred by instances of vandalism, casting shadows over the celebrations. Community members are left to ponder the impact not only on property but on the spirit of their local festivities as the police ramp up their investigations and citizens look to reclaim their joyous celebrations for the coming year.