Juvenile Gang Allegedly Behind Series of Car Thefts

Six suspects aged eleven to 14 years are said to have committed a series of offenses ranging from vehicle thefts to burglaries in vehicles to vandalism of cars in Lower Austria. According to police on Monday, the damage amounts to at least 20,000 euros. A 14-year-old largely confessed and was taken to the Vienna-Josefstadt prison. The five minors were brought to the responsible crisis centers or guardians.

Police Catch Thieves in the Act

The Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office has been investigating the group since the end of November. The members are citizens from Romania, Poland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Belarus, some of whom live in crisis centers in Vienna, the police said in a statement. They were caught in the act last Monday while attempting to break into a car in Sollenau (Wiener Neustadt district).

Further Offenses Possible

The gang is said to have stolen or unlawfully used at least six vehicles in Traiskirchen and Leobersdorf (both Baden district) as well as in Wilfleinsdorf (Bruck an der Leitha district). The group was also linked to more than ten burglaries in vehicles or thefts from vehicles and vandalism of cars in Felixdorf (Wiener Neustadt district) as well as other offenses (suppression of documents and misappropriation of non-cash payment methods). A car stolen in Traiskirchen on November 27 was secured last Tuesday at the rest area of the South Motorway (A2) near Bad Fischau-Brunn (Wiener Neustadt district).

14-Year-Old Confesses

The 14-year-old confessed to most of the allegations. Investigations by the State Criminal Police Office are still ongoing, as further crimes by those caught and other members of the group in Lower Austria are suspected.

(APA/Red)

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