As the police announced on Thursday, the damage caused amounts to around 70,000 euros.Image: KEYSTONE
A man probably systematically steals shopping carts – to enrich himself. According to police, the damage is in the five-figure range.
April 10, 2026, 11:19 amApril 10, 2026, 11:19 am
In Mannheim, Germany, a 58-year-old is said to have stolen more than 300 shopping carts – and sold them to a scrap dealer for the price of metal. As the police announced on Thursday, the damage caused amounts to around 70,000 euros.
The suspect was caught red-handed on Wednesday evening: He was loading shopping carts into his vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping center when he was observed by a witness. The man was finally arrested by a patrol. The 58-year-old had already prepared additional cars for removal, it was said.
During the course of the investigation, it emerged that the man had already stolen hundreds of shopping carts from the shopping center. The police were unable to secure any further evidence during a search of his apartment and car. It is currently not clear to the police which scrap dealer bought the shopping carts.