Overview
- A 72-year-old man opened a box and released about 500 Mediterranean crickets in the Heilig-Rock-Kapelle, which produced a loud chirping concert on Wednesday midday.
- A witness followed the man and alerted police, and officers stopped him carrying an empty box labeled “Mittelmeergrillen, 500 Stück, Einzelfutter.”
- Police have launched a criminal proceeding on suspicion of disturbing the practice of religion, an offense that can carry up to three years in prison or a fine under the German penal code.
- The cathedral housemaster removed the insects in under an hour without calling a pest controller or using chemicals, and authorities say no people, artworks or inventory were harmed and no costs arose.
- The suspect has given no motive, the diocese did not file a formal complaint, and the Domkapitel said it will consider further security measures following the incident.