Brutal fake date robberies in Darmstadt: Now several arrests

They actually wanted to go on a date and were then brutally attacked: According to the police in Darmstadt, at least eight men were victims of a suspected gang of robbers. The police have now searched several apartments in Darmstadt, Büttelborn and Erfurt and have provisionally arrested ten people.

Police suspect the group of having committed at least eight robberies since October 2023.

Threatened and robbed

The suspects are said to have arranged dates via a dating platform to meet their victims in the Waldkolonie area in Darmstadt. At the agreed location, they are said to have threatened their supposed dating partners and forced them to hand over money or valuables, according to the police. In total, the accused stole several thousand euros, debit cards and smartphones.

Drugs, weapons and several cell phones

After intensive investigations, officers searched eleven apartments with the support of special units. Weapons, cash, marijuana and cell phones were seized. Five of the suspects, aged between 17 and 19, are now in custody. Two other arrest warrants have been suspended.

Investigations ongoing

In addition, other possible crimes committed by the group are being investigated. It is currently being examined whether the young suspects were also involved in fraud cases as “fake police officers”. The investigation is ongoing and the police are still looking for clues about the group’s activities.