Sledgehammer Attack on Vienna Police Car: Detention for 26-Year-Old

A 26-year-old had to answer for, among other things, serious property damage because he struck the hood of the police car with the five-kilogram tool during a police focus operation "More Safety for Vienna." He must serve twelve months in prison, four of which are unconditional. The verdict is already final.

Police officers and officials of the city of Vienna were busy with a control focus on e-scooter riders on that Saturday afternoon in the Inner Mariahilfer Street when the then 25-year-old suddenly came with a scooter, pulled out the sledgehammer, and suddenly struck the car with full force. Then he went to the police officers and allowed himself to be arrested without resistance. "For me, it was a cry for help," the young man said in court on Thursday. "I didn't know forwards or backwards."

Accused in Vienna expelled from supervised living unit

The Upper Austrian was actually accommodated in a supervised living unit after a conditional conviction and admission to a forensic-therapeutic center for dangerous threats in December. However, he did not comply with the conditions, such as pursuing employment, undergoing psychotherapy, and taking medication. When he allegedly intentionally flooded the bathroom, he lost his place of residence. "It didn't work there from the beginning," the 26-year-old complained. He also rejected his probation officer. "I didn't want to see him anymore. It didn't do anything for me. It wasted my time."

Hammer for "future" work

That's why he got himself a sledgehammer at a large hardware store. "I saw a good offer and bought it," said the Upper Austrian. When the judge asked him why he needed it, he replied: "For the future. In case I build a house or break down walls." Instead, he used it to hammer on the police car.

After his arrest, ammunition was found on him, which he was not allowed to possess due to an existing weapons ban. This was imposed on him after the last conviction for making dangerous threats, as he aimed a hunting rifle at two passersby. The police also discovered a residence permit of a woman on him, which was charged as suppression of documents. He claimed to have found the document during a ticket inspection at the U3 station Gasometer. "I picked it up and took it with me. I wanted to hand it in," said the 26-year-old.

Stolen Phone Tracked

The woman to whom the residence permit belongs, however, told the police that it was in a bag that was stolen from her in a downtown nightclub in December. Her phone was also stolen, which she was later able to track. The mobile phone logged in exactly at the address in Ottakring where the 26-year-old lived after the theft. Photos from the surveillance camera in the venue are said to have filmed the young man. He vehemently denied having anything to do with the theft in the popular disco. "I've never been inside there," he said. In addition to serious property damage, he was also convicted today of theft, suppression of documents, and violation of the weapons law.

The 26-year-old was often loud during the trial, but when the judge mentioned in her reasoning that the sledgehammer would also be confiscated along with the seized ammunition, the man became agitated. "I have to go to the hardware store now and buy the sledgehammer again for 44 euros," he repeatedly shouted. "It's better if you don't hammer anywhere anymore," said the judge. A psychological expert will now assess the man in prison to determine if an unconditional commitment would be better for him. "It is necessary to keep you further," said the judge. "The risk is too great that something will happen again."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.