August Dreike was arrested, together with his wife, on 16 January 1945 for offences against the laws regulating wartime economy activity. His death was reported to the registry office eight days later by his wife.

He was charged with the punishable offence of “giving preferential treatment to Jews”. At Steinwache police station, he was subjected to violent methods of interrogation and torture by Gestapo officers, resulting in his death.
At the time of his arrest, he was living at Bovermannstr. 1. The Stolperstein for August Dreike is located in the courtyard of the former Steinwache.