A gang of burglars committed seventeen burglaries in Styria and Upper Austria around the turn of the year. Now two perpetrators have been arrested in Kosovo – local detectives were present.
High-quality jewelry was central to the gang, which struck 17 times in December 2022 and January 2023: in the districts of Graz, Graz area, Weiz and Wels. The damage amounts to 870,000 euros.
The investigators were able to quickly assign the crime scene to the same group of perpetrators. The first suspect was arrested in Graz in February: the Kosovan resident with an Austrian passport lives in the Styrian capital and is said to have provided the direct burglars with shelter, vehicles and mobile phones. He is also said to have used stolen loot. The 45-year-old has now been sentenced to 24 months in prison in Graz.
Arrest in Kosovo
Detectives from the theft group of the Styrian State Police, together with colleagues from the LKA Upper Austria and from the affected districts, were able to investigate the burglars. There was an international search for them. The Graz Public Prosecutor’s Office issued European arrest warrants and sought legal assistance in Kosovo.
Researchers from Styria traveled to Kosovo in mid-November. There, with the support of the Kosovo authorities in the capital Pristina and the liaison officer of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, they arrested two men aged 27 and 31. They are said to have come to Austria from France in December 2022 to carry out the series of burglaries.
Four house searches
Searches were also carried out simultaneously at four locations abroad. Officials apparently seized stolen jewelry and two expensive vehicles.
The two Kosovars are currently in custody in Pristina. An extradition request was submitted. They have not yet confessed and the investigation into other perpetrators is still ongoing.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
