Suspect behind Gütersloh's bomb blast
In the early hours of November 15, 2024, an unprecedented incident occurred in the city centre of Gütersloh. Unknown perpetrators detonated an ATM, causing severe damage to a residential and commercial building as well as the ATM of a bank branch.
The exact amount of property damage and the loot from the ATM remains unknown. Witnesses who saw the perpetrators or the vehicle involved in the incident are urged to come forward and provide statements to the Criminal Investigation Department 21 at 0521-545-0.
The explosion occurred near Münsterstraße, at Königstraße, Gütersloh, at 02:54 AM. Police officers at the scene used firearms against a dark VW Golf, but the perpetrators managed to escape. The suspects are believed to have fled towards Dortmund on the A2 motorway.
The investigation into the incident has been taken over by the Criminal Investigation Department 21 of the Bielefeld Police. It has been discovered that the individuals behind this fire attack are part of a group linked to several violent crimes, including the explosion of account statement printers and ATMs in Cologne and surrounding areas.
Following the incident, nine search warrants were executed in Cologne, Neuss, and Dormagen, resulting in the seizure of firearms and drugs, as well as the arrest of multiple suspects aged between 19 and 49, who are suspected of organized weapons trade and related offences.
Photos or videos of the crime or suspects can be uploaded to the NRW police tip portal at https://nrw.hinweisportal.de/. For press inquiries, contact the Police Headquarters Bielefeld Leadership Staff/Press and Public Relations. Contact numbers for press inquiries are as follows:
- Sonja Rehmert (SR), Tel. 0521/545-3020
- Katja Küster (KK), Tel. 0521/545-3195
- Sarah Siedschlag (SI), Tel. 0521/545-3021
- Michael Kötter (MK), Tel. 0521/545-3022
- Hella Christoph (HC), Tel. 0521/545-3023
- Fabian Rickel (FR), Tel. 0521/545-3024
- Caroline Steffen (CS), Tel. 0521/545-3026
- Lukas Reker (LR), Tel. 0521/545-3222
Emails can be sent to [email protected]. Outside of office hours, control center can be contacted at 0521/545-0.
Witnesses who have observed the perpetrators or the vehicle in wooded areas, farms, barns, or remote locations are asked to contact the police. The crime scene investigation is still ongoing, and the search for the perpetrators and the escape vehicle has been unsuccessful.
The Bielefeld Police headquarters' website is https://bielefeld.polizei.nrw/. The public is reminded to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
