Thieves steal heavy machinery in Frankfurt, GPS tracks it across Europe overnight
Thieves stole several pieces of construction machinery from a site in Bergen-Enkheim, Frankfurt, between Thursday night and Friday morning. The stolen equipment, including two mini excavators and a wheel loader, was quickly tracked across Europe. Police are now asking the public for help in their investigation.
The theft took place overnight between February 12 and 13, 2026. The machinery, fitted with GPS trackers, was traced moving overland through Austria and Hungary before reaching the Serbian border the same night.
Such incidents are not uncommon in Germany, though they remain isolated. Professional gangs often target high-value items like mixers, excavators, and cables, using trucks and disguises to avoid detection. Companies like Geotab promote GPS tracking as a way to deter theft, but no official data exists on how widely these systems are used.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward. Witnesses or those with suspicious observations can contact the investigating unit on 069 / 755-52199 or visit their nearest police station.
The stolen equipment was tracked as far as the Serbian border, but its exact location remains unknown. Authorities continue to investigate, relying on public cooperation to recover the machinery. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of construction site thefts across Germany.
