Large-scale operation - Man threatens job center employee with toy gun
Armed with a toy gun, a man marched into the Lehrte job center in the Hanover region and triggered a massive police operation. "The suspect threatened employees and frightened customers," said police spokesman Dennis Diroll at the scene on Thursday. Late in the evening, the police announced: "We are currently investigating whether the conditions for a custodial measure against the 53-year-old are met."
The man was arrested fairly quickly - and did not put up any resistance. According to the police, a toy weapon and a pocket knife were confiscated from him. The 53-year-old is said to have had no accomplices. According to the police, no one was injured. The background to the crime is still being investigated.
The large-scale operation in the area of the job center on Burgdorfer Straße in the city center began at 10:15 am. Initial reports of a possible hostage situation were not confirmed. The area around the building in the city center was cordoned off for cars and buses, and people were advised to avoid the area, according to a press release.
After the arrest of the 53-year-old, officers took people out of the center, some were escorted to the city library nearby, a dpa reporter observed. The investigation - including into threats - was still ongoing and witnesses were questioned further in the afternoon. Counselors were also on duty for those affected. "Fortunately, no people were harmed and there were no other suspects", said a police spokeswoman in Hanover.
The police had combed the extensive building, which also houses a savings bank, with a massive contingent of heavily armed forces. A special task force (SEK) was not deployed, according to reports. Machine guns, helmets and protective vests were part of the officers' standard equipment due to the latent threat of terrorism, the police confirmed on site. Half a dozen police cars were parked in front of the center at times. It should be ruled out that there were other people involved.
The cordons at the scene in the area of the job center were lifted at midday. According to the authorities, security was restored. The police ended the large-scale operation and withdrew their forces in the afternoon.
Police statement from the evening
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- The incident in Hanover highlighted the seriousness of criminality, as a man threatened an employment office employee with a toy gun, leading to a large-scale police deployment.
- Despite the collective efforts of the police in Lower Saxony, including the use of heavily armed forces, it was later confirmed that the man was only carrying a toy weapon and a pocket knife.
- Following the arrest of the suspect, the employment office in Hanover, which had been cordoned off due to the emergency situation, gradually returned to normal operations.
- In response to the incident, the police in Hanover emphasized their commitment to maintaining public safety and addressing criminality, while also assuring the community that no other suspects were involved in the incident.
Source: www.stern.de
