Overview
- The inquiry spans offenses since 2019 across cities including Recklinghausen, Dinslaken, Oberhausen, Castrop-Rauxel, Dülmen, Voerde and Wesel, with the most recent robbery reported on January 16.
- The suspect threatens cashiers with a firearm, sometimes pries open tills with a tool, and flees by foot or bicycle while speaking High German with a slight Eastern European accent.
- Police published surveillance photos and a composite image created after a witness briefly confronted and saw the suspect unmasked during a getaway.
- Authorities report intensified measures such as covert deployments, mantrailing dogs and forensic analysis, yet no arrest has been made.
- The Essen prosecutor has offered up to €4,000 for tips, a hotline is available for information, and the public is urged not to approach the possibly armed suspect.