POL-ESW: Theft of copper rolls on Southlink construction site
Thieves have stolen 25 heavy cable reels from a major power line construction site near Ringgau-Rittmannshausen. The incident took place between November 26 and December 1, 2025, along Federal Highway 7. Police estimate the total loss at around €150,000 and are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The theft occurred at the Südlink power line construction site, where criminals broke into a fenced-off area. They drove a vehicle onto the premises and loaded multiple galvanized copper cable drums, each weighing roughly 700 kg. The thieves did not stop there—additional reels were taken from a nearby storage facility.
The Eschwege Criminal Investigation Department (Kripo) has classified the case as aggravated gang theft. Authorities suspect a coordinated effort due to the scale of the operation and the weight of the stolen items. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact the Kripo at 49 5651 9250. The stolen equipment was part of a critical infrastructure project, raising concerns about potential delays.
The stolen cable reels remain missing, and the financial impact on the Südlink project is significant. Police continue their search for leads, focusing on the possibility of an organised group behind the theft. Anyone with details about suspicious activity in the area during the specified dates is asked to assist the investigation.
