Halloween robbers in St. Ingbert: jewelry box kidnapped!

Halloween robbers in St. Ingbert: jewelry box kidnapped!

On October 31st, Halloween Day, a frightening incident occurred in St. Ingbert-Rohrbach. An unknown person took advantage of the tradition of trick-or-treating to gain access to the apartment of a 78-year-old man. The senior had left his front door unlocked and invited the intruder to come inside. The thief shouted the well-known Halloween phrase “trick or treat” and was not distracted by the senior’s friendly offer to take candy from a bowl. Instead, the intruder ransacked the apartment and stole a jewelry box containing jewelry worth around 250 to 300 euros. The 78-year-old, who was using a walker, tried desperately to hold on to the thief's arm, but he couldn't stop him and the perpetrator escaped. This incident shows how Halloween, traditionally associated with fun and celebration, can also have a dark side when crooks take advantage of carelessness.

Halloween, also known as Hallowe’en, has been celebrated for centuries. Originally called All Hallows' Eve, the evening of October 31st marks the eve of All Saints' Day. It is a time when both the death and resurrection of saints and martyrs are honored, both by Western Christians and many non-Christian cultures around the world. Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, costume parties, jack-o'-lantern carving, and attending ghost events. While some Christians celebrate Halloween with church services and prayers, in many parts of the world the holiday has become a largely secular celebration that is highly commercialized.

Traditions and customs

The roots of Halloween go back deep to Celtic harvest festivals, particularly Samhain, which is considered a pagan custom. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought these customs to North America in the 19th century, leading to the spread and adaptation of both traditions. In the US, it is estimated that consumers will spend around $12.2 billion on Halloween spending in 2023 alone, including decorations, costumes and candy.

Not only is Halloween a celebration of joy, but there are also concerns about cultural appropriation and the appropriateness of certain costumes. The customs and traditions surrounding Halloween vary around the world, and many cultures incorporate local elements into the celebration.

The circumstances of the theft in St. Ingbert-Rohrbach are in stark contrast to what Halloween usually represents. While most people use this day to spread joy and enjoy traditions, incidents like this show that every Halloween has its pitfalls, especially when strangers sneak into others' carelessness.