Religious Statue Forcibly Removed and Stolen
Unknown perpetrators stole a statue of St Martin from a monument in front of the monastery church in Aldekerk, Germany. The incident caused significant shock among local residents.
The theft occurred during the night of 16–17 January 2025. The figure, which had been firmly mounted on a pedestal, was forcibly removed, with evidence suggesting it was cut off at the feet using tools. Parts of the monument, including the bishop’s mitre and the figure of a seated beggar, remained in place. The statue depicted St Martin, a widely venerated Christian saint, and held particular symbolic and cultural significance for the local community. Residents described the act as deeply distressing, noting the strong attachment to the monument.
Source: RP, Polizei NRW