Rain of money from Mainz: police solve puzzles

Created: 05/28/2022, 13:34

By: Sebastian Richter, Florian Dörr

The mystery of the banknotes falling from the sky in Mainz has been solved.

© Jens Büttner/dpa

Suddenly it rains banknotes: An incident in Mainz-Lerchenberg causes a stir.

The police were able to clarify the origin of the notes – but are not allowed to reveal anything.

Update from Saturday, May 28, 1:15 p.m .:

The rain of money from Mainz has been clarified – at least for the police.

As the officials announced on Saturday, the person who had lost the money reported to the police station and credibly justified being the owner of the five-digit banknotes.

The middle-aged person, who was not named by the police, appeared on the Lerchenberg on Friday evening, according to the Mainz police in a statement.

There the person explained the case.

For the officials, the "background to this, as well as the legal possession of the money" were understandable.

"Further information about the person and the money will not be given to protect the personal rights of this person," it said.

Money falls from the sky in Mainz: the police appeal to the finder

So it remains unknown to the people in Mainz how the sudden rain of money could have come about.

Nevertheless, the police would like to thank everyone who has previously given banknotes to the officers.

In addition, anyone who has found banknotes should hand them over to the police.

This is also possible anonymously – for example via a letter.

Finally, the police again point out that "the confiscation of found banknotes could constitute the criminal offense of 'embezzlement'".

This crime is punished in a similar way to a theft: it can mean a fine or even imprisonment for the finder.

Rain of money from Mainz: background unclear

The origin of the money that fell from the sky in Mainz-Lerchenberg is unclear.

© Police Mainz

First report from May 24, 11:58 a.m .:

Mainz-Lerchenberg – More than an unusual incident in Mainz-Lerchenberg: on Sunday (May 23) banknotes rained down from a high-rise complex on earth.

The police are now assuming a five-digit amount.

And it could be even more.

What exactly happened?

It all started around 5.30 p.m.: Suddenly the banknotes fell from the sky in Mainz-Lerchenberg.

The police arrived, as did the fire brigade.

The money blown by the wind was collected together with local residents.

In this context, the police once again made it clear “that it is not allowed to keep money found.

From a criminal point of view, this represents embezzlement that can result in a fine or even imprisonment.” On Monday (May 24), a five-digit amount was collected.

And: Local residents are still occasionally handing in certificates at the police station in Mainz Lerchenberg. 

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Mainz: Money falls from the high-rise complex - the police have several theories about the origin

The big question: Where does the money that suddenly fell from the sky come from?

The police in Mainz are puzzled.

"Assumptions range from money sewn into a pillow that accidentally fell out when you banged it to money that came from a crime," it says.

However, nothing is certain.

The owner initially remains unknown, although numerous local residents have been interviewed.

What happens to the amount that the police received from the rain of money from Mainz-Lerchenberg?

That will be decided today (May 24), because if the owner is not found during the course of the day, the money will be handed over to the lost and found office in the city of Mainz.

Here it can be picked up by the rightful owner upon presentation of appropriate proof.

(fd/spr)

Another case recently puzzled the police in Mainz: a man reported screams from the neighboring apartment.

When the officers arrive, a mysterious situation presents itself.