Jena-Lobeda, 19.03.2026. Following a football match of FC Carl Zeiss Jena, two club supporters became victims of extortion in the Lobeda district last Friday evening. The police are asking the public for assistance and are looking for witnesses who made observations in the vicinity of the „Goldberg“ pedestrian tunnel.
- Offense: Extortion
- Time of crime: Friday, 13.03.2026, around 10:30 PM
- Location: Cycle path and „Goldberg“ pedestrian tunnel near the Altlobeda stop
- Affected: Two male fans of FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Perpetrators: Three unknown men, two of them masked with black cloths
Masked perpetrators lie in wait at the tunnel
According to police reports, the two injured men were on their way home after attending a football match. Around 10:30 PM, they left the „Altlobeda“ tram stop and followed the cycle path towards Lobeda. Both were clearly recognizable as supporters of FC Carl Zeiss Jena by their fan merchandise.
Even before reaching the „Goldberg“ pedestrian tunnel, the friends noticed three unknown men. After the two FCC fans had passed through the underpass, they stopped to talk. At that moment, the situation escalated: Two of the unknown individuals approached the men. By then, they had masked themselves with black cloths over their mouths. Meanwhile, the third perpetrator remained at the tunnel entrance to secure the area. Under threat of violence, the perpetrators carried out their plan of extortion.
Police urgently seeking witnesses
The Jena police have launched an investigation and are now looking for individuals who observed the events late Friday evening. Anyone who noticed suspicious persons on March 13 in the Altlobeda area, on the adjacent cycle path, or at the pedestrian tunnel is asked to contact the police.
Background: Safety in the evening hours & Prevention
The district of Neulobeda (divided into Lobeda-West, -Ost, and Altlobeda) is the largest residential area in Jena with over 20,000 residents. The connecting paths between the tram stops and the residential blocks are used daily by hundreds of commuters and pedestrians. Especially after major events such as FC Carl Zeiss Jena matches at the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, passenger volume on the tram lines towards Lobeda is high.
Police safety tips for robberies:
- Health comes first: Do not offer direct physical resistance during robberies. Material values are replaceable; your health is not.
- Memorize perpetrator characteristics: Pay attention to specific features such as height, build, language, scars, or conspicuous clothing.
- Note the direction of flight: Remember in which direction and by what means of transport the perpetrators flee.
- Alert quickly: Call the emergency number 110 immediately. The faster the police are informed, the higher the chance of a successful search in the immediate area.
Source:
Police News Jena, 19.03.26: Appeal for witnesses
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.