2023-10-27 15:05:48
Brazen thieves
“While I was milking the cows in the stable, a thief stole 2,000 francs.”
Brazen thieves anger St. Gallen farmers. 20 Minutes spoke to those affected.
Published27. October 2023, 5:05 p.m
Farmer Zeno Stadler is annoyed: “Unknown people keep stealing from our farm.”
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At his home in Bronschhofen SG, the thieves once even sneaked into his kitchen during the day while he was working. “We now close all entrances to the house, even when we are present and working,” says Zeno Stadler.
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The Hinders, another farming family from Bronschhofen SG, are also affected: “While I was milking the cows in the stable, a thief sneaked into our house and stole 2,000 francs in cash,” says farmer Brunhilde.
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According to Hanspeter Krüsi, media spokesman for the St. Gallen cantonal police, there has been a massive increase in sneak thefts compared to previous years: “It cannot be said whether these were specifically committed on farms.”
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“The Swiss Farmers’ Association is observing that more goods are being stolen from farm shops on farms,” says media spokeswoman Sandra Helfenstein.
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Several farmers from the canton of St. Gallen report that they were robbed.
What’s particularly bad for those affected is that while they were working, strangers stole from them.
Some have now taken action.
Zeno Stadler, a farmer from Bronschhofen SG, is annoyed: “Unknown people keep stealing from our farm.” It started two years ago when his wife’s e-bike, which cost 2,500 francs, was stolen from the garage. This September, smaller night-time thefts occurred once more and once more: “One time it was my wallet, other times it was eggs and cheese from our farm shop,” says the 56-year-old.
Particularly shocking for Stadler: “Once the thieves even sneaked into our kitchen during the day while my wife and I were working. Luckily, I observed the intruders and was then able to drive them away.” Stadler has now taken the first measures. “We now close all entrances to the house, even when we are present and working.”
The Ruckstuhl farming family from Rossrüti SG is now doing the same. “800 francs in cash was stolen from our house while we were making hay,” says farmer Sonja. Basically, on a farm it is unusual for people to lock the entrances to the house while working on the farm. “Like most farms, we have several entrances. Closing it is therefore very difficult,” says the 46-year-old. Nevertheless, they don’t want to be robbed once more: “That was really, really bad for us. It’s unbelievable that people steal from you while you’re working on the farm.”
“He sneaked into our house while we were milking”
Farmer Brunhilde Hinder from Bronschhofen SG is also affected: “While I was milking the cows in the stable, a thief sneaked into our house and stole 2,000 francs in cash.” Her son was in his room during this time and didn’t notice anything. The Hinders have now also taken measures: “We have installed a camera since the incident.”
The shock is still deep because others are also affected and it doesn’t seem to be an isolated case: “I learned regarding dozens of other farms in the surrounding area that had similar experiences,” says Hinder.
As the St. Gallen cantonal police said on request, there has been a massive increase in sneak thefts compared to previous years. However, it cannot be said whether these were committed specifically on farms. The figures that are officially kept concern all sneak thefts in the region and are not recorded separately.
Difference between sneak thefts and burglaries
According to Isabelle Wüthrich, spokeswoman for the Bern cantonal police, burglary occurs when a perpetrator gains access to a building by force, for example by breaking open a door or breaking a window. If doors or windows are open and a burglar can get to the valuables and take them without using force, this is a case of sneak theft. “In the current year, compared to 2022, we are noticing an increasing trend in sneak thefts and burglaries in farms in the canton of Bern,” says Wüthrich.
The Swiss Farmers’ Association has no knowledge of an increase in sneak thefts. A more recent and increasing phenomenon, however, is that goods are increasingly being stolen from farm shops on farms. It is also observed that when thefts occur on farms, it is often small equipment such as chainsaws. The reason: “These are often not stored in an enclosed space and are therefore poorly secured or not secured at all.”
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