Burglar caught by German car wash manager
A German car wash operator was able to catch a burglar who broke into his facility last weekend. He handed him over to the police. The key to solving the crime? A decent video surveillance system and a pro-active team.
A self-service car wash in Kaiserslautern, Germany has already been broken into several times. For a long time, identifying and apprehending the perpetrators were a problem. This time, thanks to some security measures taken, the owner managed to catch the perpetrator in the city center.
Daylight
The break-in at this car wash took place in broad daylight on a Sunday during lunchtime. After several previous burglaries, the owner had an alarm system and video surveillance cameras installed.
“The police no longer come out when such reports are received and refer to the possibility of filing the report digitally,” the manager told our colleagues of CarwashPro.de.
After the break in, the manager checked what the burglar looked like, put a small team together and went into town. On the basis of very good camera recordings, the perpetrator could then actually be encountered in the city.
The police were alerted once more and arrested the perpetrator on the spot. “But he was out again immediately”, the manager added. “That’s just the way it is, unfortunately.” He has little hope for a refund for the damage incurred. “Those people usually don’t have any money anyway.”
Coins still accepted
Luckily, the damage was limited since he keeps limited cash in the car wash after previous break-ins. “However, the burglar damaged something that I thought could not be damaged.”
Going completely cashless is not an option in a country like Germany. Where cash is way more common than in other European countries. “It’s too much of a risk for me to go completely digital”, he says. “When the payment system fails, customers have no way to wash and I have no revenue.”
More news
Award for Car Wash Innovation of the Year 2023
Who will win the Car Wash Innovation of the Year Award 2023? You are welcome to submit an innovative new product that contributes to the car wash industry. The award will be presented during Car Wash Show Europe 2023 in Amsterdam. The innovation award is divided into three categories: sustainability, digitalization and technology. Winners will… Read more ›
Hosepipe ban in UK’s Southwest extended
Car owners in the Southwest of the United Kingdom ar not allowed to wash their vehicles privately. Because of continued drought, a hosepipe ban has come into force across large parts of Devon, the BBC reports. South West Water (SWW) said the extended restriction would help replenish water supplies at Roadford reservoir ahead of the… Read more ›
Gheeraert opens second truck wash in Bruges, Belgium
Belgian transport company Gheeraert is expanding with a second truck wash for trucks in the region. The new location opened last weekend near the historic city of Bruges. Gheeraert’s first truck wash was established 17 years ago in Loppem, in the Belgian province of West Flanders. “At some point it became way too busy there,”… Read more ›