Explosive vending machine heist and unsolved hit-and-run baffle Hesse police
Two separate criminal incidents have left police in central Hesse searching for suspects. In Eschenburg-Eiershausen, a cigarette vending machine was destroyed by an explosion in the early hours of December 29, 2025. Meanwhile, a hit-and-run in Herborn on Christmas Day remains unsolved, with witnesses reporting unusual activity near the scene.
The first incident occurred around 03:50 on December 29, when unknown offenders detonated an explosive device at a cigarette vending machine in Eschenburg-Eiershausen. The blast completely wrecked the machine, causing an estimated €5,000 in damage. Police believe two suspects fled with the cash cassette, though the exact amount stolen remains unknown.
Authorities have ruled out any link between this attack and an earlier hit-and-run in Herborn. On December 25, a white sedan with a notchback rear collided with a parked lilac Peugeot on Bahnhofstraße before speeding away. The Peugeot’s owner later told police they had seen people speaking Russian or Ukrainian near the car shortly before the incident. Investigators traced the sedan’s licence plate but found no matching vehicle. Witnesses in either case are urged to come forward. Those with information about the vending machine explosion should contact Dillenburg Police at +49 (0)2771 9070. Details regarding the Herborn hit-and-run can be reported to Herborn Police at +49 (0)2772 47050.
Both investigations remain open, with no suspects identified so far. The vending machine attack left significant damage, while the hit-and-run caused around €1,200 in repairs to the Peugeot. Police continue to appeal for public assistance in solving the crimes.
