In Alterode (Mansfeld-Südharz district) an entire cigarette machine was stolen on Friday night.
A little later, three suspects were picked up, as the police announced on Friday morning.
Alterode - A resident had alerted the police about the noise.
The officers then found the machine theft.
A little later three men were stopped in a car with "pockets full of cigarettes," said a police spokesman.
The 34, 36 and 44 year old men are now being investigated on suspicion of theft.
dpa