Trial begins – “battering ram” burglaries in Vienna and Lower Austria

According to the Public Prosecution Service, the Dutchmen, aged 29 and 32, are part of an international group that is active in Germany and surrounding countries. Cars that had previously been used without permission were used as battering rams in the spectacular burglaries of jewellery stores in the SCS and in the Donauzentrum. Display cabinets were smashed with mason’s fists and crowbars, and the criminals made off with jewellery.

Traces removed
According to the prosecutor, the defendants carried out the crimes “with extreme ruthlessness and brutality” and removed evidence by setting fire to the vehicles they were using. The third suspect, a Bulgarian, is said to have made his apartment available to the two Dutchmen as a base from May last year and also provided chauffeur services, among other things.

Roller door rammed into shopping center
The 29-year-old second defendant admitted to involvement in an attempted coup on January 12, 2023 in Wiener Neustadt. The two Dutchmen did not confess to burglaries at the SCS in Vösendorf on May 22 and at the Donauzentrum in Vienna-Donaustadt on June 20. An emergency exit door of the SCS was broken open, after which one of the two drove a car into the shopping center and rammed the roller shutter.

According to the prosecutor, the other followed him on foot with bags and sacks. The windows of a jewelry store were smashed and jewelry such as rings, necklaces and pendants worth around 150,000 euros were stolen before the suspects fled. In the Donauzentrum, a sliding glass door and the shop window were rammed. The Dutchmen are said to have fled with stolen goods worth around 180,000 euros.

Relevant criminal record
A DNA hit during a trace investigation after a break-in in Wiener Neustadt on June 26, 2023 led to the 32-year-old, who, like his 29-year-old compatriot, has a relevant criminal record. The first defendant admitted that he had come from the Netherlands because of an “order” for the coup in Wiener Neustadt: “I had debts and could not refuse them.” Jewelry worth almost 2,800 euros was stolen through a hole in the glass. Only about two minutes after arrival, the criminals fled because the police arrived.

Getaway car set on fire
According to his statements, the first suspect was not present at the explosion itself. According to the 32-year-old, his accomplice was not the second suspect. According to information from the court, the 29-year-old’s mobile phone was logged in in Ebreichsdorf (district Baden) when the getaway car was set on fire in the cadastral community of Weigelsdorf.

The suspects have confessed to the ATM burglary. According to his statements, the 32-year-old carried out the explosion. The Bulgarian admitted that he had rented a car and set it on fire after the crime. After this coup, the trio was arrested in the Bulgarian’s apartment. During a house search, prepared explosives and license plates were found in the basement.

Verdict expected on Thursday
The suspects are accused of serious theft by breaking and entering, arson, serious damage to property, unauthorized use of vehicles, suppression of documents and violations under the Explosives Act. The Bulgarian is said to have acted primarily as a contributor. The jury hearing at the regional court in Wiener Neustadt will last two days. A verdict will be delivered on Thursday.