A German beekeeper stepped in when a man attempted to steal honey from his hives, detaining the intruder until local police arrived. The suspect, reportedly intoxicated by alcohol and drugs, had reached the apiary on an electric scooter. The report comes from the telegram channel Bild.
Beekeeper Andreas from Saarland described the incident as a hive attack. He said a security camera feed alerted him to unusual movement at the apiary, and the footage showed a man prying at the hives with the clear aim of taking honey. The detail was shared by Bild, which cited the beekeeper’s account.
The apiary owner was on guard duty after a similar theft the day before, when an unidentified person took honey and a small axe. In that prior incident, around 60,000 bees were disturbed and had to be protected to prevent losses in the wintering season.
Following his arrest, the thief admitted the crime and disclosed that he had stashed the stolen honeycombs at several spots about 30 meters away in a nearby forest, concealing the spoils to delay discovery. Law enforcement said the man faced charges for theft as well as driving under the influence of substances.
The report notes additional security concerns in the region, including unusual activity near Bryansk court on October 18, where two people were reportedly seen looking for honey in the soil, described by local observers as bee-related activity. (Source: Bild)
On November 14, the apiary in Primorye was the scene of an attack on a guard by a tiger, highlighting the broader challenges that beekeepers can face in some rural areas where wildlife encounters complicate hive maintenance. (Source: local news reports)
Earlier this year, the State Duma discussed the rights of summer residents to sue over disputes with neighbors over beehives, signaling ongoing debates about property access, safety, and coexistence with managed bee colonies. (Source: parliamentary briefing notes)